A small land turtle of the species Chelonoidis chilensis, with just one week old and weighing 25 grams, was voluntarily handed over by a neighbor of Villa de Merlo to the Wildlife Conservation Center (CCVS) at the Floro Faunística de La Florida Reserve in San Luis. According to veterinarian Andrea Gangone, the reptile is in good health, active, and with a healthy yolk sac, which it should absorb in the next few days before starting to feed on its own.
Together with the turtle, a burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) found injured in Villa Mercedes, and a caracara also entered the rehabilitation center. These animals will undergo a quarantine period, during which experts will assess their condition and determine if they can be reintroduced into their natural habitat.
The land turtle is an indigenous species of the province of San Luis and is categorized as vulnerable due to the threats it faces, primarily pet keeping. According to biologist Lara Denápole of the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development, many turtles that live in homes were illegally removed from their natural environment.
This not only impacts their wild populations but also causes serious nutritional deficiencies in specimens that were in captivity, as their diet in the wild is much more varied and balanced than what they can receive in a home.
## Legal Protection and Consequences of Captivity
The National Wildlife Law (22,421) prohibits the capture, commercialization, and possession of turtles without permission from the authorities. Meanwhile, Provincial Law No. IX-1058-2021 declares them as monumental natural, along with other endangered species such as the Pampas Deer and the Yellow Cardinal. This category grants them absolute protection and sanctions for those who violate the regulations.
One of the main factors affecting the species’ survival is the low survival rate of eggs and juveniles in the wild due to their long incubation period, which lasts between 13 and 16 months. Additionally, in captivity, turtles cannot hibernate properly, affecting their development and health. Another risk is the possibility of transmitting diseases like salmonellosis to humans.
Authorities remind that anyone who finds wild animals outside their habitat or detects cases of pet keeping or illegal trafficking should contact the Fauna office at 2664-452000 ext. 3372 or report to the Environmental Police through 911.
## What is the importance of preserving land turtles?
According to experts, land turtles are key to maintaining ocean cleanliness, as well as for maintaining balance in marine life. For this reason, some countries such as Mexico prohibit the fishing, extraction, and theft of turtle eggs, considering it a crime.
Additionally, some turtle species are especially important for ecosystems, as they are the main seed dispersers for certain plants.
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