The Last Word

South Africa has the richest diversity of tortoises in the world but this is one of the rarest species on the planet. Although listed as endangered it has lost 97% of its original habitat and is now found only in three isolated pockets in the Western Cape near Tulbagh, Ceres and Worcester. Severe fire in 2012 has probably relegated it to critically endangered status.

Originally the geometric tortoise occurred in the Cape Town area (Harmony Flats Reserve) but man’s eye for its eggs as a source of food and shells for decoration has contributed to the rapid decline in numbers. It only survives in coastal lowland fynbos and renosterveld vegetation and will die in captivity.

Its existence even today, hangs by the thin thread of its beguiling camouflage and sedentary behaviour. A cryptic colouration pattern on its shell, formed by a black background with attractive yellow rays, radiating from the centre of all the shields on the carapace, blends successfully with its environment; its only real defence against predators. The geometric tortoise is a small animal barely covering the palm of your hand. For those that survive, maturity is reached after eight years and some have lived for up to 30 years.

Like the Table Mountain Ghost Frog, the geometric tortoise is worth a kiss, The Last Word’s ‘kiss of extended life’, is aimed at creating awareness and support from people who care about those lesser-known, smaller species on the endangered list. This attractive little reptiles ‘fight for life’ has inspired talented creators to produce innovative and exquisite jewellery, leather bags and scarves. More of these treasures of esteem will appear in due time.

ALLIANCE WITH WILDERNESS FOUNDATION
Kiss Me. Share Me. Save Me.

Part of the alliance between The Last Word, its creators, customers and those endangered is an alignment with the Wilderness Foundation since they are primarily concerned with the conservation of wild lands, protecting areas where nature and humanity is threatened.

For now, no trusts exist to preserve survival of the small endangered but since their main threat is shrinking habitat as a result of encroachment, we believe Wilderness can influence understanding and awareness which will take the first steps to environmental sustainability.

We believe ignorance is the enemy and knowledge the opportunity, so for every Living Endangered piece sold 5% of the purchase price will go to the Wilderness Foundation.  This way we hope these less significant species may one day attract the attention they deserve.

This from Andrew Muir, CEO Wilderness Foundation. “The Wilderness Foundation is delighted to be associated with the Living Endangered Range of products. It is often the small, strange and remote species that are lost to conservation, as one tends to support the more charismatic and mega-fauna species. We should never forget, that as humans, we are but one of over 13 million species that make up all life on earth. Every species that we allow to become extinct is a dent to the life support system that we rely on.”