In Madagascar, conservationists are having to take extreme steps to save one of the world's most endangered species.
The ploughshare tortoise is highly prized for its distinctive gold and black shell and commands exceptionally high prices on the international black market.
It's thought there may be fewer than 500 left. So experts have decided to engrave the shells, in effect defacing them, to make them less attractive.
Richard Lewis, director of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Madagascar, told the BBC that "we hate doing it but it's got to be done to help save the species".
"It goes against every grain and gene in our bodies to do this - everything says we shouldn't do this, what we believe in, what we stand for.
"But we think this can be a major step in stopping people wanting these animals. We believe this will be a genuine deterrent."
The idea has attracted criticism from other conservationists, the Madagascar government and staff within the charity itself.
The practice of carving into the tortoise shell is similar to removing the horns from rhinos or the tusks from elephants to lessen their value on the black market.
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