Turtles and tortoises taken from wild populations for the pet trade suffer high mortality during capture and transport and often die in unsuitable captive conditions.
Wild turtle and tortoise capture for the pet trade causes welfare harm at multiple points. Collection stress and high-density transport create conditions for disease transmission and injury. Mortality between collection and sale is often 50% or higher. Survivors enter the trade stressed and carrying disease burdens that compromise their captive survival. The specialized husbandry requirements of most chelonians — specific temperature gradients, humidity, UVB lighting, and diet — are rarely met by unprepared owners. Captive-bred chelonians are available for many popular species and have vastly better welfare prospects and no wild population impact.