The report, by the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC, found that the capture and trade of these animals has not been carried out in accordance with the relevant laws in Indonesia.

"Despite national quotas set for the harvest and export of this turtle species between 1997 and 2001, no licences for collection have been issued to date, nor transport permits issued for movement from source to point-of-export within Indonesia," TRAFFIC said in a statement.

"All specimens that have been exported since 1994 have been illegally acquired."

In 2000, the IUCN Red List categorized the species as "critically endangered", and in the same year, the Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle was assessed as commercially extinct.

The species is listed in Appendix II of CITES, which requires any international trade to be carried out under a permit system.

"The continuing international demand for this turtle from hobbyists and collectors in Europe, North America and East Asia is pushing this endemic species towards extinction," said Chris Shepherd from TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and co-author of the report.

"Even if the turtle is added to the Indonesian list of protected species, monitoring and enforcement of existing laws in place to protect wildlife from over-exploitation is lacking and in some places, non-existent. If these laws, such as the laws governing capture and transport of wildlife, are not enforced, this species will surely become extinct in the wild in the very near future."

The new report issues a number of recommendations, including better national protection and capacity building for increased and improved enforcement.

In December 2005, TRAFFIC in close collaboration with the Indonesian CITES Management Authority conducted training and awareness building sessions on Roti Island for local enforcement agencies.

"We hope that by increasing the levels of awareness and the capacity in enforcement techniques of these agencies, poachers will find it increasingly difficult to smuggle out any of the turtles that remain on Roti Island," added Mr Shepherd.

(Karen Bain-- www.999today.com )