A Rare Tortoise With High Demand In Illegal Trade Was Stolen From Perth Zoo
- 8 years ago
A 10-year-old radiated tortoise is believed to have been stolen from the Perth Zoo in Australia sometime during the evening of February 4th.
A 10-year-old radiated tortoise is believed to have been stolen from the Perth Zoo in Australia sometime during the evening of February 4th.
The next morning, zookeepers noticed that the critically endangered tortoise was missing from its exhibit.
The zoo’s Director of Life Sciences, Maria Finnigan, said, "The reason for the theft is unknown, however due to their stunning shells, radiated tortoise are heavily impacted by the illegal wildlife trade and regularly trafficked and sold on the black market. We would appeal to anyone who has any information to come forward. Our main concern is for the welfare of this animal, not prosecution."
A 10-year-old radiated tortoise is believed to have been stolen from the Perth Zoo in Australia sometime during the evening of February 4th.
The next morning, zookeepers noticed that the critically endangered tortoise was missing from its exhibit.
The zoo’s Director of Life Sciences, Maria Finnigan, said, "The reason for the theft is unknown, however due to their stunning shells, radiated tortoise are heavily impacted by the illegal wildlife trade and regularly trafficked and sold on the black market. We would appeal to anyone who has any information to come forward. Our main concern is for the welfare of this animal, not prosecution."