Mysterious deaths of Aldabra giant tortoises spark police investigation in Devon Woodland, UK |18 January 2024
The bodies of seven Aldabra giant tortoises, one of the largest tortoise species in the world, and endemic to Seychelles, were found dead in the National Trust’s Ashclyst Forest, Devon, UK, triggering a police investigation.
This was reported by UK-based newspaper The Guardian on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, which stated the reptiles were found by National Trust staff in the 272-hectare (672-acre) woodland, one of the largest forests in Devon, north-east of Exeter.
According to the report, two bodies were found on January 8, followed by the discovery of an additional five bodies in close proximity on January 12.
The police have appealed to anyone with information as to the circumstances of their death to come forward.
Speaking to Seychelles NATION, the chief executive of the Seychelles Islands Foundation, Dr Frauke Fleischer-Dogley, said from a scientific standpoint, it was most definitely death by cold.
Dr Dogley said although giant tortoises are endemic to Seychelles, many animals are kept as pets or in zoos and other conservatoires all around the world.
She said SIF is requesting an in-depth investigation to understand the underlying cause of this situation. “It is extremely worrying that threatened animals like these tortoises are not cared for. Only with the investigation can Seychelles review and decide how to regulate, control and police any further exportation/trade.”
The Guardian article cited a report on the illegal trade in tortoises titled ‘Shell Shock’ by Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), which noted strict measures in the UK with regard to the breeding or importation of such protected species. It cited that it was “illegal to import or sell live wild-caught protected species of tortoises or products made from them without a permit for commercial purposes”, adding that tortoises make for bad pets as the body temperature, humidity and diet required by most species is “virtually impossible” to replicate.
An RSPCA spokesperson is also quoted in the article as wanting to get the bottom of the incident. “While Devon and Cornwall police are leading on this matter, we would like to find out what happened to these animals.”
According to The Guardian, this was not the first time a giant tortoise has been found in the woodland. In December 2021, veterinarian group Vale Vets Devon posted an appeal on its social media page, seeking the owners of a giant tortoise that had been surrendered to their Cullompton branch.
Aldabra giant tortoise is endemic to Seychelles. The adult male can weigh up to 250 kg with their shells extending up to approximately 122 cm in length.
Ashclyst forest is an expansive natural woodland pasture featuring commercial conifer plantations and scarce wet woodland. The closest village, Broadclyst, is situated approximately three miles away.
Compiled by Sunny Esparon
Photo credit: The Guardian
