turtle identity?

sunrisesoup

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Can anyone identify this tortoise? I am in W. Africa now, but this looks rather like an endangered Asian elongated tortoise, but I am far from knowledgeable. A street vendor wanted to sell it to me. I don't want to do anything illegal, but I would like to save it, if it's endangered.
 

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Tom

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Can anyone identify this tortoise? I am in W. Africa now, but this looks rather like an endangered Asian elongated tortoise, but I am far from knowledgeable. A street vendor wanted to sell it to me. I don't want to do anything illegal, but I would like to save it, if it's endangered.
Its a hinge back. Probably a local species.

Will @Kapidolo Farms might know which species.
 

TeamZissou

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Definitely not an elongated tortoise.

Kinixys bellina nogueyi is the main hingeback found in W. Africa.

If you can, get a count of the claws on the front feet. Nogueyi are known to have only 4 claws on each foot.

@2turtletom

Fig-S1-Distribution-ranges-of-the-savannah-taxa-of-Kinixys-and-sampling-sites-ranges.ppm.png
 

TeamZissou

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What would be your plan if you bought it? Getting it back to the US would be very difficult.
 

sunrisesoup

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What would be your plan if you bought it? Getting it back to the US would be very difficult.
I was hoping to find an organization with proper credentials and contacts to take care of it. I am relieved it isn't endangered. Thank you so much for your rapid response. I still feel bad for the tortoise, but buying it would only encourage the vendor to take more from the wild.
 

sunrisesoup

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chino valley, AZ
I'll try to get another look at the turtle. The original pics are more clear, and it does look like 4 toes, but the coloring is not nearly as vivid as your picture- even with the dust it seems evenly dull colored.
 

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