In every country in its range, the biggest threat to the survival of redfoot tortoises is overhunting by man. Interestingly enough, tortoises are considered "fish" by the Catholic Church and during holy week, redfoots are consumed in huge numbers. Redfoots are collected and shipped to many different South American cities to be sold as a delicacy. The fact that redfoots can tolerate long periods of time without food and water, an otherwise evolutionary advantage, makes this species both easy and profitable to transport.
Another threat facing redfoot populations is the omnipresent habitat loss and disturbance. Although it has been observed that redfooted tortoises can live on land that has been converted to agriculture, their densities are much lower than they are in natural, unaltered habitat. Tortoises living on agricultural lands are much easier to locate, so higher hunting rates may account for this difference.
Exportation for the pet trade also has a negative effect on redfooted tortoises, although it is much less of a threat to their survival than either hunting or habitat loss. The natural history of the redfoot tortoise provides insight into two areas, the susceptibility of this species to overhunting and habitat loss, and captive husbandry and reproduction.
Conservation efforts include the establishment and protection of wildlife reserves and national parks, where red-footed tortoises and other animals are protected from hunting.