PLEASE HELP! Abused Turtles/Tortoises at Thai Restaurant?

Victoria Wilder · Dec 11, 2017

Hi all,

I'm new to all of this and have been doing extensive research on purchasing an Eastern Hermann's or Ibera Greek tortoise.

Tonight, while doing food deliveries, I went to this restaurant where they have 5 turtles in one small enclosure.

There is no UVB lamp, no heat lamp - nothing. It's completely dark in their "tank" (if you can even call it that). The front of the enclosure isn't even glass, it's covered in some brown concrete looking stuff, so they don't even get sunlight during the day.

4 of the turtles appear to be the same species, and the other one (the one being covered by another turtle) seems to be a different species.

Right now it's as cold as it gets

here in Arizona, maybe 50 or 60 degrees tonight, and they have the doors open so it's even cold inside.

What do I do?

Thank you

Victoria Wilder · Dec 11, 2017

Here is a picture of the turtle that is being covered by another turtle. I took this when I went to the restaurant the first time - before I knew about tortoise forum/groups, etc. And was concerned. PLEASE remember the flash from my phone is the source of light. Other than that it is PITCH BLACK.

Victoria Wilder · Dec 11, 2017

Edit: the temperature lows are in the 40's here in Arizona.

Yvonne G · Dec 11, 2017

There are a couple things you can do - report them to animal control, or print out a nice care sheet and kindly advise them there's a better way to care for the turtles.

Tom · Dec 11, 2017

Victoria Wilder said:
Edit: the temperature lows are in the 40's here in Arizona.

Is this enclosure outdoors?

Do you have a photo showing the whole enclosure? Or can you tell us the size of the enclosure?

What abuse are you seeing? I see a dock for them to haul out on. The enclosure looks to be of adequate size from what I can tell. I see a cord going in there for some sort of filtration or circulation and the water looks fairly clean. Did you put your finger in the water to test the temp? Possibly the cord is to a heating device of some sort? Does the enclosure get sunshine during the day?

I think we need a bit more information before we jump to the conclusion of "abuse". I don't know the other species, but red eared sliders are a temperate species and can handle cold temps and they sometime hibernate too.

Markw84 · Dec 11, 2017

I see a few red eared sliders Trachemys scripta elegans and what appears to be a Sonoran Mud Turtle Kinosternon sonoriense (If it is - those are quite rare!!)
They all appear to be quite healthy and look really good. The water is clean. They are all temperate climate species and do well in your area without heat. Not sure I see what I would call abuse at all. There must normally be some sort of light as they are doing too well to be totally in the dark. Perhaps you could go back and see how they are kept and that your first visit just caught them with no light on at the moment. Certainly before you accuse someone of animal abuse formally.
As Tom suggests, perhaps an overall picture of the enclosure? Engage the owners there in a conversation. From what I see, I bet they would be happy to talk turtles with you!

wellington · Dec 11, 2017

I get what your saying, specially if there is no heat and basking source and if it's very cold and always in the dark.
Might be more ignorance then abuse at this point. Print out some correct heating and lighting info for them and if you can find anything about appropriate enclosure size. Red ears get very big and just from the pics, doesn't look like a huge enclosure too me. Talk to them about the enclosure, hand them the caresheet and give them a week or so to make things good. Go back and if it hasn't improved, well it's no longer ignorance but neglect and inform them that if the proper changes are not made, you will turn them in for animal abuse and neglect.

Victoria Wilder · Dec 11, 2017

I apologize - I don't have a great grasp on these turtles' needs so I wasn't sure of the urgency of the situation.

Here is a picture I took without flash where you can kind of see how dark it is in there, and I was under the impression they needed a light, especially since their amount of natural light can't be a lot.

The enclosure is indoors in a restaurant. The lighting in the restaurant is very dim and the only way I could get a visible picture of them was with the flash. I assume when they lock up the restaurant at night they don't leave the heat on.

The size of the enclosure is less than 1 foot wide, maybe 4 feet long, and maybe 3 feet tall. The front of the enclosure is glass, but covered in some kind of brown concrete and mesh fabric with a very small patch of uncovered glass where a small amount of light could maybe get through during the day time, unless they have their blinds down on the windows.

I didn't see a heat source, but I will go back and ask.

There was no lamp or even a dome anywhere near the enclosure or outlets. Also, this is the third time I've visited the restaurant and seen no light on, but I didn't know anything about turtles the first 2 times I visited.

Thank you so much for your help so far

Markw84 · Dec 11, 2017

Victoria Wilder said:
View attachment 224879 I apologize - I don't have a great grasp on these turtles' needs so I wasn't sure of the urgency of the situation.

Here is a picture I took without flash where you can kind of see how dark it is in there, and I was under the impression they needed a light, especially since their amount of natural light can't be a lot.

The enclosure is indoors in a restaurant. The lighting in the restaurant is very dim and the only way I could get a visible picture of them was with the flash. I assume when they lock up the restaurant at night they don't leave the heat on.

The size of the enclosure is less than 1 foot wide, maybe 4 feet long, and maybe 3 feet tall. The front of the enclosure is glass, but covered in some kind of brown concrete and mesh fabric with a very small patch of uncovered glass where a small amount of light could maybe get through during the day time, unless they have their blinds down on the windows.

I didn't see a heat source, but I will go back and ask.

There was no lamp or even a dome anywhere near the enclosure or outlets. Also, this is the third time I've visited the restaurant and seen no light on, but I didn't know anything about turtles the first 2 times I visited.

Thank you so much for your help so far

Please keep us updated on what you find out talking with them.

PLEASE HELP! Abused Turtles/Tortoises at Thai Restaurant?

Victoria Wilder

New Member

Victoria Wilder

New Member

Victoria Wilder

New Member

Yvonne G

Old Timer

Tom

The Dog Trainer

Markw84

Well-Known Member

wellington

Well-Known Member

Victoria Wilder

New Member

Markw84

Well-Known Member

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