Bodies of giant dead tortoises found

Police investigate seven mysterious corpses

Seven dead giant tortoises have been found at Ashclyst Forest near Cullompton

Police are trying to identify the owners and how they came to end up in the Mid Devon district.

Two were located on Monday 8 January and a further five were found nearby on Friday 12 January.

They are thought to be Aldabra giant tortoises, a protected species.

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.”

If you have any information that could help with enquiries, please contact police on 101 quoting 50240006127.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555111.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “We are aware of the distressing discovery of several large dead tortoises in Ashclyst Forest near Cullompton, Devon. 

“While Devon & 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.”