Hi Goosey....sadly the trade in tortoises is still rife in the UK. Many still are not registered with DEFRA and many more ae brought as pets...presumed eay to care for and then end up very ill or dying due to people just not understanding their complex needs. The trade in Egyptian tortoises is still happening and this is an endangered tortoise...many people get them as pets and since it is one of the more complex breeds to care for...you end up with alot of unwanted or dead tortoises, plus they try to beed them as well which should be left to professionals due to their complex needs...we try to encourage only zoos to participate in the breeding and conservation of these lttle fellows.
Only a year ago i heard of a case involving a fmaily that had been sold a tortoise...only to find it grew to very large standards. This tortoise turned out to be a Galapagos giant tortoise..
.how that got in the country or in the trade route i will never know.