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Tortoise adoption programme
The Stigmochelys pardalis (Leopard tortoises) found within Tygerberg Nature Reserve are extra limital species and many were dumped here over the years by members of the public who did not know where else to take them. None of the leopard tortoises found within Tygerberg nature Reserve are naturally occurring.
The management of the Tygerberg Nature Reserve no longer accepts any tortoise species with questionable origin.
Furthermore the leopard tortoises at Tygerberg Nature Reserve are breeding and their numbers have increased dramatically. This has a negative effect on the indigenous angulate and parrot beak tortoises.
Therefore we are attempting to encourage members of the public to adopt all leopard tortoises found within Tygerberg Nature Reserve to be kept as a domestic pet. People wishing to adopt will be provided with transport permit applications and instructed to buy a permit from Cape Nature before any animal will be released into their care. Then once a transport permit has been acquired, they will be given an application for a capture permit which they will need to apply for with Cape Nature.
We do not encourage breeding of the tortoises therefore no pairs will be adopted out; members of the public may only adopt the following:
One or two females; or
One male (males are territorial and will fight is two are in the same space)
If you would like to adopt a tortoise, please contact the reserve on 021 913 5695.
Penny Glanville
Area Manager, Tygerberg