Article discribing the huge illegal trade in Indian star tortoises : A star attraction: The illegal trade in Indian Star Tortoises
Article about the illegal trade : Pet trade driving disappearance of India’s most beautiful tortoise | The Third Pole
Exotic animal cafes are also being popular in Southeast Asia so I think the illegal trafficking is also destined for exotic animal cafes. If those smuggled Star tortoises go to turning points like Thailand the situation will be worse, because they will be labeled as “Captive bred” and sold legally. Why there is some Appendix I species still constantly smuggled even though we buy CB individuals? One of the main reasons is the country is impoverished.