Drastic action to save endangered tortoise

In a desperate bid to save one of the world's most endangered animals, conservationists are taking the controversial step of defacing the last survivors. Ploughshare tortoises are highly prized for their distinctive gold and black shells and fetch exceptionally high prices on the international black market. Efforts to steal the animals from their native Madagascar are so relentless that there may only be less than 500 left. So the tortoises are now having their shells permanently engraved with a large serial number together with the initials "MG" for Madagascar. The hope is that deliberately making the animals less attractive will reduce or even eliminate demand for them. When the idea was first raised, it faced vigorous opposition from many in the conservation movement, the Madagascar government and also staff within the charity involved, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust-READ MORE AND SEE VIDEO-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33096261