00:00By most definitions, tortoises differ from turtles in that they are exclusively land creatures which live in a variety of habitats, from deserts to wet tropical forests.
00:11In video provided by Express photographer Dexter Phillip, the hunters' search and rescue team, according to the Express, oversaw the release of 24 of them to the game wardens of the Forestry Division in Gasparillo on Sunday from someone's home.
00:27Just by the weight of this yellow-footed tortoise, which is a male, you are able to know that it is not heavy for its size.
00:37And the second thing is, if you look at the limbs, it's smaller in proportion to the size of the animal, which is a sure sign that these animals are not being fed properly and they are underfed and they need rehabilitation right now.
00:54TV6 News later spoke via telephone with the captain of Hunters Search and Rescue, Valence Rambarat. He said he received information from an informant about a week ago.
01:24Mr Rambarat then spoke about the turnaround that cleared the way for the rescue on Sunday.
01:54Mr Rambarat said tortoises are difficult to keep as pets for a variety of reasons, including their diet.
02:22They are protected animals under the Wildlife Conservation Act and under new circumstances, members of the public should try to remove them from the wild. If in fact you would have rescued one or one would have entered your home or your garden area and you wish to keep it, you must apply for a permit to keep it.
02:46TV6 News sought clarification from Mr Rambarat about whether the Forestry Division will have to collaborate with any other arm of the state.
02:54The Forestry Division will have to collaborate with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service for any prosecution in the matter and I will say this, a situation like today, I think prosecution should arise if only to send a message to the population.
03:15Mr Rambarat said what happened to the 24 tortoises ought not to be tolerated in Trinidad and Tobago.
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