The red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius) is a reptile species, categorized as vulnerable in Colombia, which is present in the lowlands of different geographic regions of the country. This report seeks to demonstrate the finding of lesions compatible with burns and malformations found in free-living red-footed tortoises in the Colombian Orinoco region. Five localities were evaluated in the departments of Arauca and Casanare, in which 176 captures were carried out. In addition, an analysis of the relationship between lesions and the cover and productive activities present in each area was carried out. In 39 cases, macroscopic findings of shell lesions were reported and documented (22 %). In most cases, macroscopic lesions were described as shell and plastron malformations. Other lesions observed were those caused by burns 23.07 % (n = 9). The highest proportion of individuals with burns was found in mixed mosaics (agriculture and livestock), while malformations were more frequent in productive livestock.