Tortoise Thief on the Loose
On November 30, a tragedy devastated the local Alligator Farm Zoological Park in St. Augustine. Two of their priceless Galapagos tortoises were missing from their enclosure. Director of the farm, John Brueggen, claims there are no signs that the two animals escaped by themselves and believes the tortoises were stolen. State and local investigators are sorting through hours of camera footage to find the devious reptile robber. This loss is personal for the staff at the Alligator Farm, as the 5-year-old tortoises were hatched and raised at the Farm. It is imperative they find the Galapagos tortoise thief (or thieves) since this criminal can make a hefty sum of money from illegally selling the tortoises since, according to Brueggen, “…this is an animal that on an open market would sell for $10,000.” The Alligator Farm requests that anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of the kidnapped turtles contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife or the St. Augustine police.
By: Hanna Virts
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