EAST GRINSTEAD COURIER (Sussex, UK) 18 August 05 Family In Plea To Trace Missing Tortoise
An East Grinstead family is appealing for information about its missing pet tortoise, which it believes was stolen from its garden.
Sam Stirrat, 15, of Holtye Road, discovered his 40-year-old tortoise, Atlas, missing on Thursday morning.
His mother, Juliet, immediately told the police and notified local pet shops that specialise in reptiles.
"I'm absolutely gutted," said Sam, who has been fascinated by tortoises and turtles from an early age.
The Stirrats are particularly concerned about Atlas because of his background.
Mrs Stirrat, a member of the Sussex Chiloean Society, said that Atlas was one of 145 tortoises impounded at Heathrow in 2003, while being smuggled into Britain illegally. The animals were distributed to Chelonian societies (turtle and tortoise protection and research groups) who found homes for them among their members. One became the Blue Peter tortoise.
The smuggled tortoises were not supposed to mix with other tortoises in this country, as they are not domesticated and their background is not known, Mrs Stirrat said.
The family is worried that whoever has Atlas may endanger his life by not knowing the facts.
Mrs Stirrat said: "Someone who has done this to raise money quickly could end up killing him. He's had a rough ride anyway. We've done the best we can for him and I just hope it's not going to be ruined."
Because tortoises are rare, it is illegal to sell one without a licence and it is illegal to sell an adult tortoise without a microchip, Mrs Stirrat said.
Anyone with information about Atlas should call the Sussex Chelonian Society on 01273 475680, or Sussex Police on 0845 6070 999.
Family In Plea To Trace Missing Tortoise