Turtles As Pets: Hong Kong's Unique Pet Culture

Turtles are a popular exotic pet in Hong Kong, with the red-eared slider being the most common pet turtle in the region. The semi-aquatic golden coin turtle, a native species, is also in high demand in the illegal pet trade, pushing it to the brink of extinction. Hong Kong's laws protect all wild turtles, and licenses are required to import or own them.

Hong Kong's black market for turtles

While all wild turtles are protected by law in Hong Kong, loopholes in the system allow the trade to continue. For example, it is possible to own a wild turtle with a special license in Hong Kong, which experts say provides a loophole for wild golden coin turtles to be sold as farmed versions in markets. Shopkeepers can also use a decades-old license, despite having traded many turtles in that time.

In the last three years, only one person has been fined for hunting wild turtles, and no one has been prosecuted over golden coin turtles in recent years. Conservationists supported by the Hong Kong government's Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department regularly search the city's country parks to clear away traps. However, they warn that unless the law is better enforced, the golden coin turtle could die out in its last known native habitat in a matter of years.

The illegal trade of turtles is not limited to Hong Kong. In March 2024, a Hong Kong man was charged with smuggling protected eastern box turtles from the United States to Hong Kong for the global pet trade black market. In September 2024, an illegal box turtle smuggler was arrested in South Carolina, where turtle trafficking is on the rise.

Turtle trapping in country parks

Hong Kong's country parks are home to a wide variety of animals, including the extremely rare golden coin turtle. This species of freshwater turtle is native to the metropolis' natural streams and surrounding vegetation, but it is so rare that it is almost impossible to spot one in the wild.

Poachers, however, are very active in Hong Kong's country parks, regularly trapping rare turtle species to sell to the pet and Chinese medicine trade. The golden coin turtle is particularly vulnerable to this because of its value as a pet and for other purposes. Turtle traps can readily be found in the country parks, and despite the fact that all wild turtles are protected by law, loopholes allow them to be sold in markets.

Researchers supported by the Hong Kong government's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) regularly search the city's extensive country parks to clear away traps. While it seems that illegal traps have been in decline, recent surveys show that at certain times of the year, turtle trapping activity is very high. Researchers alert the government when they find a trap, and hunting wild animals is punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $13,000 (100,000 HKD).

The golden coin turtle is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and the Hong Kong government says anyone found with endangered species faces a maximum fine of $1.3 million ($10 million HKD) and 10 years in jail. Despite this, experts say that loopholes allow wild golden coin turtles to be sold as farmed versions in markets. It is also possible to own a wild turtle with a special license in Hong Kong, and shopkeepers may use a license they have had for decades, even though they have traded many turtles during that time.

The Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden in Hong Kong has started a breeding programme to save the golden coin turtle from extinction, but researchers warn that unless the law is better enforced, it could die out in its last known native habitat in a matter of years.

Turtle species native to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is known for its densely packed skyscrapers, but the city also boasts lush forests and streams that are home to a variety of turtle species. There are five species of freshwater turtles native to Hong Kong, including the golden coin turtle, which is critically endangered and difficult to spot in the wild.

The golden coin turtle, with its distinctive yellow hue and three black stripes on its shell, is a type of box turtle. It is the only place in the world where this species is known to survive in the wild. The semi-aquatic species used to be found across southern China, Vietnam, and Laos, but it has disappeared from these regions due to poaching and the illegal pet trade.

Another native species is the Chinese Three-lined Box Turtle, found in the lowland reservoirs, ponds, and marshes of Hong Kong. The scientific name for this species is Platysternon megacephalum.

Other turtle species mentioned in sources about Hong Kong include the Beal's Four Eyed Turtle and the Wattle-necked Softshell. However, it is not explicitly stated whether these species are native to the region or introduced.

The survival of turtle species in Hong Kong is threatened by poaching and the illegal pet trade. Despite legal protections, loopholes exist that allow the sale of wild turtles, such as the golden coin turtle, in markets. Conservationists and researchers are working to save these endangered turtles by regularly searching for and removing illegal traps set by poachers.

Importing turtles to Hong Kong

Turtles are a popular exotic pet in Hong Kong, with rare species such as the golden coin turtle being illegally sold and bred as pets. The WWF is working to raise awareness of the issues surrounding the exotic pet trade in Hong Kong, and to encourage the government to tighten existing pet trade regulations.

If you are considering importing turtles to Hong Kong, there are several important regulations to be aware of. Firstly, it is important to obtain a Special Permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in advance of importing any animals, as outlined in the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance Cap. 139. This department regulates the import of animals and birds to prevent the introduction of animal diseases into Hong Kong. The application form for importing food or pet turtles is AF240-T, and it must be submitted with the appropriate fee and the applicant's Hong Kong Identity Card or passport. The permit is valid for six months and only one consignment, and the animals must be imported before the expiry date.

It is important to note that importing turtles without the appropriate permits can result in significant penalties. Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, anyone found guilty of importing an endangered species without a licence can face a maximum fine of $10 million Hong Kong dollars and up to 10 years in prison.

In addition to the permit requirements, there are also specific guidelines for the transshipment of animals. If the animals change aircraft or mode of transport in Hong Kong, a Special Permit is required. However, if they remain on the same aircraft or vessel, a permit is not necessary, but importers must comply with the requirements of the destination country.

When importing turtles, it is also crucial to consider the potential ecological impact and the risk of disease introduction. Prior assessment will be conducted by the AFCD before issuing a permit, taking into account these factors.

Lastly, if you are importing a species controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an additional CITES permit is required. This involves providing the full scientific names of the species in the application form.

Red-eared Sliders as Hong Kong's most common pet turtle

In recent years, exotic pets have become increasingly popular in Hong Kong. Turtles are among the many species, including rare snakes, lizards, parrots, and scorpions, that are traded as pets in the city. The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is the most common pet turtle in Hong Kong. This species was introduced to Hong Kong through the pet trade, as people released turtles into the wild.

The red-eared slider is native to North America and typically has a shell length of 12-20 cm, with some specimens reaching up to 29 cm. Its shell is olive-green with yellow streaks, and its plastron (the underside of the shell) is yellow with irregular yellow marks and black blotches. The legs are olive-green with yellow stripes extending to the claws, and there is a distinctive red or orange-yellow patch behind each eye, which may fade or become absent as the turtle ages.

Red-eared sliders are found in a variety of freshwater habitats in Hong Kong, including reservoirs, mountain streams, rivers, wetlands, ponds, and even saturated farmland. They are active during the day and at night, hunting for food and basking in the sun on logs, rocks, and at the edges of the water. Their diet is omnivorous, including plants, bugs, small fish, and occasionally carrion. The males are smaller than the females and have long claws that they use during courtship to gently brush the female's face.

While red-eared sliders are common pets, it is important to note that they are part of the larger issue of the exotic pet trade in Hong Kong. Many exotic pets are known to carry pathogens that can cause zoonosis, and some species, such as the green iguana and alligator snapping turtle, should not be kept as pets at all due to public health and safety concerns. Additionally, the large-scale extraction of exotic animals from their natural ecosystems for the pet trade contributes significantly to biodiversity loss and overexploitation. Therefore, it is crucial for potential pet owners to carefully consider their reasons for wanting an exotic animal as a pet and to prioritize the safety, suitability, and sustainability of their choices.

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