Is it illegal to buy turtles or tortoises in the uk?
Sadly there’s been an awful lot of misinformation in the answers you’ve received so far. That’s understandable because it’s a confusing subject. I’ve been keeping and breeding tortoises for 15 years and unfortunately, it is NOT illegal to sell wild caught tortoises of many species. And it is never illegal to buy one – even if it is of a protected, endangered species. The only person committing a crime in an illegal transaction is the seller. Certain tortoises are protected by being listed CITES annex A (CITES stands for “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species”) but many others, such as Russian tortoises, Leopard Tortoises, Hingebacks, etc., are wild caught in huge quantities and imported into the UK totally legally. They’re sold in sick and stressed condition in many pet stores. Legally there’s nothing to stop them selling them, or you buying one, but MORALLY there’s plenty to stop you, as the trade in wild caught tortoises is horrific and inhumane. Even CITES protecte
