Alex Trelinski
TINY turtles smuggled in from China have been found inside a container by the Guardia Civil at a checkpoint in Gandia(Valencia).
20 black-bellied leaf turtles were hidden among stuffed toys and socks, with some of them having died from stress, improper handling, and the sheer length of the journey.
The surviving turtles were taken to the Terra Natura park in Benidorm which has extensive experience in looking after exotic animals.
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Terra Natura staff immediately went into overdrive to provide critical care and rehydration for the turtles which in adulthood reach just 15 centimetres in length.
They found some of them suffering injuries during transportation as well as catching certain parasites.
Regular tests are being carried on them to identify what they may have contracted and how to deal with it.
Each of the turtles have been microchipped and remain closely monitored under isolation.
Another concern is food as it is an omnivorous species with a very specialised diet in its natural habitat.
Terra Natura Benidorm’s herpetologist, David Marti, said: “ We are working against the clock to identify acceptable foods in captivity that guarantee their survival and avoid starvation”.
He added that it was a particularly ‘worrying’ case of illegal wildlife trafficking which poses ‘problems for the conservation of already vulnerable species’.
A 53-year-old Spaniard is being investigated by the Guardia Civil for wildlife trafficking.
Click here to read more Benidorm News from The Olive Press.
