EVENING LEADER (Mold, UK) 21 October 08 Credit crunch blamed after rare turtles dumped in Denbighshire
The credit crunch has been blamed after two rare African turtles were found in a Ruthin park.
The turtles were discovered separately within a few days of each other in Cae Ddol, Denbighshire.
They have now been taken in by the North Wales Reptile and Raptor Sanctuary in Graigfechan.
The sanctuary has also been feeling the effects of the credit crunch, with both electricity and food costs rising.
"I am very angry," said Jane Drinkwater, who works at the centre.
"They have certainly been dumped, we had a call to report one turtle had been found, and then a few days later another one was found.
"They are both the same species and were found at the same place.
"We are very concerned that this is a symptom of the credit crisis, on top of the large amounts of snakes, many being youngsters, that have come into the sanctuary in recent weeks," she added.
The turtles have been identified as African Serrated-Hinged Turtle (Pelusios Sinuatis).
"I have never seen this type of turtle before, even our vet had to go away to his group of bodies to identify them," said Ms Drinkwater.
"We couldn't even find a picture of them on Google."
The turtles are currently around seven to eight inches in length, but will eventually grow to around 18 inches as adults.
They also require a well heated pond and basking area.
"They are not common in the pet trade and are a very specialised animal to keep," said Ms Drinkwater.
"To increase profits most pet shops convince potential purchasers to purchase not only unsuitable animals but two animals at a time, suggesting that they need company," she added.
"These animals would almost certainly have been sold as two to three inch, very cute hatchlings, with the purchaser being overwhelmed by their cuteness and almost certainly told nothing of their potential size and future needs.
"They would not have survived a winter out in the pond and must have been dumped by their owner," she added.
Anyone who has any information on these turtles contact Natalie Jones on 01352 707707 or email natalie.jones@nwn.co.uk.
The North Wales Reptile and Raptor Sanctuary can be contacted on 07989890507.
Credit crunch blamed after rare turtles dumped