Mediterranean tortoises
Introduction 

There are five species commonly known as Mediterranean or garden tortoises: Hermann's (T. hermanni), Spur-thighed (T. graeca), Marginated (T. marginata) Kleinmann's (T. kleinmanni) and the Russian tortoise (T. hordfieldii).  Most have at least part of their range in the Mediterranean basin, with the Russian tortoise being the exception.  Most authors refer to all the above as being in the genus Testudo, though the Russian tortoise is placed in the genus Agrionemys by some.  Current nomenclature can be found here (1).

Mediterranean tortoises make popular pets, partly because many of them are relatively easy to keep.  However, high demand from the pet trade combined with loss of habitat has led to the decline of many populations (table 1)(2).

table 1. IUCN red list classifications of Testudo species (2011)

In 1975 the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed all Testudo species under Appendix II, which meant that trade was controlled to some extent.  Due to continued declines, in 1984 international trade in wild caught Hermann's, Marginated, and Spur-thighed tortoises became illegal; these species cannot now be sold without an Article 10 certificate.  In 1995, due to high threat of extinction, all commercial trade in Kleinmann's tortoise became illegal.

With increased protection for the most popular species (Spur-thighed tortoise and Hermann's tortoise), and facilitated by the lifting of the Iron Curtain, the trade turned to the Russian tortoise.  This is now the most heavily traded species (figure 1), with many animals still being taken from the wild.
Despite the relatively high import numbers for the Russian tortoise, Hermann's tortoise and the spur-thighed tortoise, trade has not risen back to the level of that seen in the 1970s (figure 2).

Figure 1. UK Testudo imports 1990-2010. (post ban of wild-caught Hermann's, spur-thighed and marginated tortoises) Data from CITES trade database

Figure 2. Number of imports of Testudo species to the UK from countries outside the EU. Imports before the ban of wild-caught Hermann's, spur-thighed and marginated tortoises are shown in red, post ban are shown in green. Import data from CITES trade database.

The figures above have been constructed using data from the CITES trade database, so reflect imports only from outside the EU.  These numbers do not therefore truly reflect the volume of tortoises coming in from outside the UK, as much of the range of these species is within the EU.  However, Hermann's, spur-thighed and marginated tortoises cannot be sold without an Article 10 certificate issued by the department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).  Origin must be stated on this certificate so it is possible to get a better picture of the UK tortoise trade.  I am currently working with the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA; an execuutive department working on behalf on Defra) in order to do this.  

Other tortoise species found in the UK pet trade, but at lower volumes, include leopard, Indian star tortoise, redfoot, yellowfoot, pancake, and hingeback tortoises.