An abandoned tortoise is lucky to be alive after the reptile was found roaming near Simon Fraser University recently.
According to the Burnaby SPCA, a good samaritan brought the African spurred tortoise, the third largest species of tortoise in the world, to the shelter. The tortoise, staff have named Eddie, was found wandering near SFU.
In a press release, the SPCA points to existing laws that don’t prohibit the sale of exotic animals and reptiles as the reason why many exotics like Eddie end up being abandoned or worse.
“These tortoises belong in the desert. They can live up to 150 years and can weigh up to 200 pounds, and pet owners may not realize how hard it can be to provide for their needs,” Dr. Sara Dubois, chief scientific officer at the BC SPCA, said in the release. “Eddie can out-live several owners. The fact he was found as a stray is even sadder since he could have easily been killed by a car. Leaving him to fend for himself alone is horrible.”
African spurred tortoises are native to northern Africa and typically live on the southern edge of the Sahara desert. They have specific diets and living requirements that most owners would be unaware or unable to provide, according to the release.
As for the fate of the Burnaby Mountain tortoise named Eddie, the SPCA have consulted with an expert reptile veterinarian and will be recommending a placement with the hope he will eventually be moved to “a sanctuary that caters to his species,” the release added.
“There are very few reptile sanctuaries and many are full – yet another reason why people shouldn’t own exotic pets,” Dubois said. “We just want to encourage people to research exotic animals and their needs if they’re considering purchasing an exotic pet. Hopefully that will lead them to think twice before buying a pet they shouldn’t have.”
For more information, visit spca.bc.ca.
