What the tortoise taught us

Most pet shops in the UAE keep their animals in appalling conditions, like this poor tortoise. No food, no water, no sunlight, no heat. All the things that a reptile needs to survive.

On top of this, it is illegal to import tortoises into the UAE. The country is signed up to CITES (well done UAE!) If you see a pet shop selling tortoises it is likely that they are illegally imported and the shop owner is breaking the law. You can report them to you local CITES office here in the UAE.



Animal welfare is improving here as the authorities continue to clamp down on cruelty and people are becoming more educated. Sheikh Zayed was a champion for the environment and wildlife, so lets make the UAE a better place for animals.