For tortoises already in US collections, then yes, of course we should be eager to captive breed them. But it is absolutely not true that they or any other tortoise, including Malagasy species, are going to be extinct in the wild anyway, so why not collect them. That is absolutely not the case, and I'm speaking as a biologist who has worked with wild endangered tortoise populations. That is what hobbyists tell themselves to rationalize the keeping of animals that they find cool and fascinating.

What is true is that there are torts that may go extinct due to collecting for the pet trade, and if the export of the torts were banned and strictly enforced, their monetary value would plunge and exports would drop. Pancakes are a good example - they are not eaten widely, being small and secretive - their main threat is the pet trade.

I believe in the value of captive breeding, but I also believe that hobbyists (casual ones at least, as opposed to dedicated breeder) pose a major threat to the existence of many chelonians.

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