I live in Greece, aquired quite a few big tortoises when I moved into my house and have had most of them for at least 15 years. They're all quite tame. It's baby time again and so far I've found 10 of them. Maybe its wrong but previous experiences have told me that they don't stand much of a chance in the garden against magpies and maybe stray cats so I have them in a safe enclosure. 2 two year olds, 3 one year olds and then the 10 newbies. Friends and family in the UK would love to adopt them but I can't make any sense of rules and regulations regarding this. Is it possible to arrange, and how do I go about it? any help would be appreciated. Thanks

You can move captive bred cites protected tortoises (I assume we are discussing Hermanns or Marginated) within the european community pretty easily provided they have the relevant article 10 certificate. Your problem is the parents of your hatchlings are 'wild caught' - yyou need to speak to the greek authorities about getting them certified.

If you were selling them you would need paperwork for them but if you are giving them away you dont.....I think.

I dont know what you would do about sending them though, maybe there are some couriers that will transport them.

Defra may be the best people to speak too with regards to them coming into the UK....Dunno

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http://www.manytears.co.uk

My Pets2 Hermanns & 2 Marginateds1 Rottie, 1 Springer Spaniel1 Border Collie, 1 Shih-zhu6 cats6 rabbits, 5 guinea pigs

No that is not correct - you need CITES paperwork to bring them into this jurisdiction otherwise your breaking the law. OP is located in Greece and therefore they have to contact the greek authorities. There may be local greek rules that may apply to their own native species (rather like the french and Testudo Hermanni Hermanni). Defra have nothing to do with it.

Yeah ok ok. I did say "I think" and "Dunno".

Shant bloody bother in future.

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http://www.manytears.co.uk

My Pets2 Hermanns & 2 Marginateds1 Rottie, 1 Springer Spaniel1 Border Collie, 1 Shih-zhu6 cats6 rabbits, 5 guinea pigs

- I was just correcting your inaccurate advice. I don't want the OP & his family members to get trouble with Revenue & Customs for 'smuggling' tortoises.

If I for example put up a post saying that tortoises should be fed mars bars I would expect you to flag that up.

Thanks for the input, haven't thought about carriage yet, maybe I could bring them myself or get a friend who drives Greece/UK all the time to help.
What I'm afraid of is getting them to England and then finding out that paperwork isn't correct. I've asked a vet here about it and although she's made enquiries, no-one seems to have a clue. I also tried to get the female chipped a couple of years ago and they don't know how to do it!
I was hoping that someone on the forum would have already done what I want to do!
How do I get CITES paperwork and article 10 certificates?

You need to approach the greek equivalent of DEFRA - good luck. I've heard that Greek bureaucracy is 'tricky'

'tricky' is putting it mildly, it's the stuff that nightmares are made of! thanks anyway

I'd like to see how you get on as my sister has torts in her garden in Italy and they breed every year. She would love to send one over to my mum. Guess I'll be adopting if she manages it.

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Divingdancer