News / Animals
Passports for Bristol Aquarium turtles.
Bristol Aquarium have taken safeguarding to a new level by adding identity passports to their resident turtles.
It is in response to a recent growth in the number of incidences where turtles and tortoises have either been taken from or dumped at wildlife attractions across the country.
The aquarium has had several turtles smuggled into its displays, with this new initiative aiming to prevent the risk of the amphibians being displaced across the country in unfamiliar and potentially unsafe habitats.
Every turtle and tortoise at the aquarium has now been photographed and their individual markings have been filed.
Bristol Aquarium display supervisor Olivia Orchard said: “As well as allowing us to keep track of all the turtles in the aquarium and ensure none go missing or new arrivals are smuggled in, the tagging program also enables us to more closely monitor the health and development of each animal.”
Fresh water turtles and terrapins are popular pets but are often abandoned when they become too big.
Many of the UK’s lakes and rivers become dumping grounds for exotic reptiles and amphibians and this is posing a threat to native species of wildlife which simply cant cope with these aggressive invaders.
Read more: Jelly babies arrive at Bristol Aquarium