On 2 consecutive Saturday nights (May 31, June 7) a Manouria tortoise was stolen from my large fenced backyard. in Athens, GA. I am angry, sad, heartbroken, and feel like I've failed these magnificent "friends." The female has a "B" on her carapace, and she weighs 30lbs. The male has a "C" on his carapace, and he weighs 17lbs. Both are 10 years old, and both are microchipped. These Asian Brown Mountain tortoises depended on me to provide food and shelter for them, and in return they provided me with so much more. But I obviously did not prevent their disappearance. There are no voids in the fence. I've checked EVERYWHERE in the yard, under the pampas grass, in the liriope, in their hides. Nowhere to be found. The other tortoises in the yard are now in another location.
The police came out, and this event is way out of the realm of the average criminal activity they're used to responding to. The theft was in yesterday's local paper in the crime blogger section. I've notified animal control, UGA Veterinary Hospital (exotics), the local zoo, the local nature center, a large park with pond (and large turtles), and the local vet here that does specialize in reptiles. A TV station out of Atlanta wants to come and do a broadcast report about it, but I'm unsure of the benefits vs. anymore unsavory activity feeding off this news.
Last night someone again came into the yard looking for more torts. To say the least I am not resting easily. My heart wants these tortoises to be returned or turned in unharmed, but my mind knows better. I've been checking Kingsnake.com and Craigslist; so far, nothing. So if anyone hears or reads about Manouria or similar tortoises for sale, please let me know.
Sheryl
The police came out, and this event is way out of the realm of the average criminal activity they're used to responding to. The theft was in yesterday's local paper in the crime blogger section. I've notified animal control, UGA Veterinary Hospital (exotics), the local zoo, the local nature center, a large park with pond (and large turtles), and the local vet here that does specialize in reptiles. A TV station out of Atlanta wants to come and do a broadcast report about it, but I'm unsure of the benefits vs. anymore unsavory activity feeding off this news.
Last night someone again came into the yard looking for more torts. To say the least I am not resting easily. My heart wants these tortoises to be returned or turned in unharmed, but my mind knows better. I've been checking Kingsnake.com and Craigslist; so far, nothing. So if anyone hears or reads about Manouria or similar tortoises for sale, please let me know.
Sheryl