Several dead giant tortoises have been found “disposed of” in a Devon forest, Devon and Cornwall Police have said.
Two bodies were discovered in Ashclyst Forest, near Exeter, on January 8, with five more found on January 12.
A police investigation is underway to identify the tortoises’ owners and establish the circumstances which led to the reptiles being disposed of.
Police described the incident as “unusual”, and are appealing to the public to help determine the animals’ origin and assist in investigating potential criminal offences.
Police said: “We would also like to hear from anyone who has recently purchased a giant tortoise in the area.”
© Anil Öztas / Zoo Krefeld
Inspector Mark Arthurs said: “We are appealing to members of the public for information to try to establish the circumstances around this discovery and to identify those responsible.
“We would ask that if anyone knows anything, they get in touch.”
“We would also like to hear from anyone who has recently purchased a giant tortoise in the area or knows of anyone who normally has a large number of tortoises but has fewer now.”
The animals, Aldabra giant tortoises, are among the largest tortoises in the world and are a protected species.
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The reptiles are native to Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Seychelles
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They are distant cousins of the Galapagos giant tortoise, whose discovery and research by Charles Darwin helped inform his theory of evolution.
The reptiles are native to the Aldabra Atoll, a Unesco World Heritage Site in the Seychelles where some 100,000 tortoises are shielded from human influence.
They are one of the longest-lived animals in the world – one, brought to Kolkata by British seamen in the 19th century, is reputed to have the longest ever measured lifespan, and died in 2006 at the age of 255.
Ashclyst Forest, part of the Killerton Estate in Devon, has been run by the National Trust since 1944, when it was gifted to the organisation by Labour MP Sir Richard Dyke Acland.In a statement, the National Trust said: “We can confirm that sadly seven rare Aldabra giant tortoises have been discovered dead on National Trust land near Exeter over the past few days.
"The tortoises are not native to the UK. The incident is now being investigated by police and we are unable to comment further at this time."
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “We are aware of the distressing discovery of several large dead tortoises in Ashclyst Forest near Cullompton, Devon.
“While Devon and Cornwall police are leading on this matter, we would like to find out what happened to these animals.
“If any members of the public have any information about the tortoises, including who might have owned them, we would ask them to contact us on the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.”
Devon and Cornwall Police have asked that anyone with information that could help with enquiries should contact them by calling 101, quoting 50240006127.