North African males are far and few between and with predominantly older specimens of this species remaining in UK captivity, time is running out for a new generation of captive bred Whitei to be born.
Hermanns, Horsfields and Spur Thigh are the most commonly bred species in the UK and thousands are listed for sale as unwanted pets on sites such as gumtree and preloved. Many have mbd (metabolic bone disease), pyramiding and overgrown beaks, all caused as a result of poor tortoise husbandry. With hundreds of tortoises already needing homes it makes you question why I would even consider contributing to the mass suffering of captive tortoises by bringing more into the world- why would I want to breed my Whitei?
Well...
The North African tortoise does not have a sustainable future in UK captivity with the remaining elderly populations and the following factors help to explain why:
Whitei are not bred on a commercial scale. Only a few private keepers have established breeding groups in the UK meaning that any hatchlings bred today are conservation flagships for this species.
The specimens living in the UK today are primarily mature long-term-captives (wild caught imports now living in captivity)
Hundreds of Whitei have been prematurely lost to illness over the years, caused by viruses, such as herpes, mycoplasma and chlamydia. This is a fragile species that is susceptible to disease and illness. As so many private collections of this species have been wiped out, there is a reduced number of healthy specimens to consider for breeding.
Reaching the end of their twilight years.
Time. As each year passes the possibility of the remaining, viable, male and female specimens to be able to reproduce decreases.
The breeding of this species is a very worthy cause which requires patience, caution and luck. The future of this species being kept in captivity depends very much on the planned intervention now, while we still have adults remaining. It is very likely that the North African tortoise will become endangered in the foreseeable future, making it vitally important that there is a genetically healthy population in captivity.
Establishing healthy breeding groups is the biggest priority and while there is a sense of urgency to do this, taking time selecting strong, healthy parents, means strong and healthy hatchlings can be born.
North African Whitei Hatchlings Photos - Tracy Kerr