A breeding center in Thailand lost its 78 rare tortoises, they just disappeared from a center in the most mysterious way. A total cost of the lost species is about $85,000. Earlier, the rare tortoises were seized by Thai authorities from illegal wildlife traders and brought all of them to Bang Phra Water Bird Breeding Station. It’s a state-run facility in Chon Buri province.
On May 23, workers of Bang Phra Water Bird Breeding Station in Thailand said the 78 tortoises have disappeared from their cages. Head of state-run facility (Songklod Phuthong) was fired, and new head of breeding station appointed. According to the Bangkok Post, new official is Phadet Laithong. Thailand’s National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department have launched an investigation into the theft.
Mysterious disappearing of 78 rare tortoises is under investigation by Thailand’s National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. Among stolen tortoises 72 were radiated and had star pattern on their shells, and other six species were ploughshares. An international ban on selling the radiated tortoises doesn’t stop the illegal traders.
Stolen tortoises are very beauty, and it is their curse at the same time. Traders sell ploughshares and radiated tortoises on black market all the time. Ploughshares are the rarest tortoise species, there are about 500 ones on Madagascar. Some of them have an engrave on their shells: serial number and the initials “MG” (for Madagascar) to ward off poachers.
