Can I own a Galapagos Giant Tortoise?

Question

I live in Pennsylvania and I was wondering if I could own one? I am willing to pay whatever amount and age does not matter. Any info would be amazing, thanks.

Answer 1

They are on the CITES appendix I list. This means that the trade is heavily regulated and export is prohibited.

All in all, nope. Not going to happen, unless you are a zoo.

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You should also consider the age these tortoises grow to. They can reach 200 years. This means that they will very likely outlive you, should you get your hands on them. With that, you are no longer able to guarantee the wellbeing of the animal for its entire lifespan. That's not ethical.

Answer 2

No. If you like the galapagos tortoise so much, you'll leave it where it belongs, seeing as it's an endangered species.

Furthermore, as according to Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galápagos_tortoise

"Slow growth rate, late sexual maturity, and island endemism make the tortoises particularly prone to extinction without help from conservationists."

Individual animals of long lived, slow breeding species like the Galapagos Tortoise are much more important to the overall survival of the species than an individual animal of a short lived, fast breeding species. In other words, every individual Galapagos Tortoise is very important, and should remain in the overall population.

In addition, also as mentioned in the article, the Galapagos Islands are owned by the country of Ecuador which has passed a law banning removal of any species from the island, including the Galapagos Tortoise. It is basically impossible to acquire one legally.