The United States and Madagascar have suggested to signatories of the Washington Convention that they curb trade in six kinds of Asian and African turtles that are sold as pets in Japan, it was learned Thursday.
The two countries asked other members to provide trading data on the turtles, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials said. The member countries of the Washington Convention, which regulates international trafficking in animals in danger of extinction, will discuss the issue in an October meeting in Thailand.
In Japan, the six turtles are sold for high prices at pet shops and on Internet auction sites, Japanese pet dealers said. Observers said the latest developments could prompt the government to probe whether such trading is legal.