An investigation has been launched in the UK into the death of seven giant tortoises

An investigation has been launched in the UK into the death of seven giant tortoises 0

Workers of the National Trust in the UK discovered seven dead Seychelles giant tortoises in a forest northeast of Exeter. These rare animals, native to the Seychelles, have protected status. Devon and Cornwall police are seeking witnesses to the incident, reports The Guardian.

“We regret to inform that seven rare giant tortoises have been found dead on the grounds of the National Trust near Exeter. These tortoises are not native to the UK. The incident is currently under investigation by the police,” the publication quotes representatives of the National Trust.

It is known that the natural habitat of the giant tortoise is limited to the small Aldabra Atoll, which is part of the Seychelles. These animals represent one of the two largest species of land tortoises. In the wild, they can weigh up to 250 kg, and their shell length can exceed 122 cm. There have been cases where giant tortoises have lived up to 150 years in captivity, and the oldest individuals could live more than 180–200 years.

According to the publication, the import and sale of tortoises taken from the wild is prohibited in the UK. Breeders are only allowed to sell animals that have been born and raised in captivity. All of them must be identified through microchipping. It is also noted that keeping such tortoises as pets is a challenging task, as they require specific temperature and humidity conditions that are nearly impossible to maintain in the British climate. Furthermore, their dietary needs are also difficult to provide outside their natural habitat.