A group of critically endangered radiated tortoises smuggled into Hong Kong are now being rehomed at Australian zoos.
Twenty-five of the tortoises seized earlier this year are in isolation at Adelaide Zoo.
Radiated tortoises are only found in Madagascar, but in the past 12 years the wild population has fallen by more than half.
Animal trafficking, habitat loss and bush meat harvesting is responsible for the drastic decline.
It is estimated locals eat 50,000 each year, but it is their star-patterned shells that mean just one of them can be sold for as much as $10,000 on the black market.
Zoos SA conservation program manager Phil Ainsley said there was a huge illegal trade for land tortoises through Asia and Europe.
"Modelling suggests if it continues with the losses and the threats that there currently are, then in 20 years this is actually a species that may be extinct in its natural habitat," Dr Ainsley said.
"[It] would be a huge loss, not only for the species itself, but in terms of biodiversity across the globe."
Just last week, the Government of Madagascar rescued more than 7,300 tortoises which had been poached and were due to be smuggled out of the country.
Earlier this year, another 10,000 were seized after being discovered crammed inside a house in Madagascar.
Police made the gruesome discovery after a rancid smell at the property caused them to investigate.
Hundreds of turtles had already died when authorities arrived.
Zoos SA senior vet nurse Rebecca Probert, who is looking after the rescued group in Adelaide, said it was heart-breaking to know that animal smuggling on this scale was occurring regularly.
"They are squished in like sardines where they have come from, with little food or water," she said.
"They are a beautiful group of tortoises — all with individual personalities — and it's nice that we can watch them thrive and get healthy again after what they have been through."
The tortoises are expected to remain in isolation in Adelaide for several months.
Zoos SA hopes to be able to find a permanent home for some of them at Adelaide Zoo.
