The elongated tortoise is the most common tortoise shipped to the Chinese food markets from Vietnam. Other threats include the pet trade and habitat destruction.

Male Elongated tortoises engage in very aggressive courtship behavior which can result in injury to the female, this involves ramming behavior as well as vigorous biting about the head, neck and front legs of the female.

Our tortoises were part of a large consignment illegally imported and seized by customs at Heathrow airport in 1998, they were brought to us for special care.

Now healthy and settled they have started to breed, hatchling tortoises can usually be seen in the animal house.