Rare giant tortoises found dead in woodland, National Trust puzzled by cause of death.

The news of seven giant tortoises found dead in Devon has left many people puzzled. These rare reptiles were found in Ashclyst Forest, which is owned by the National Trust and located north of Exeter. The first two bodies were discovered on January 8, followed by five more last Friday. The police have confirmed that all seven were Aldabra giant tortoises, a species known for their immense size and long life expectancy of 100 to 150 years.

These particular tortoises are native to Aldabra Island, a small island in the Seychelles located in the Indian Ocean. They are considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, making their sudden deaths even more concerning. The police have launched an investigation to uncover the cause of death and identify the owners of these magnificent creatures. They are also looking into how the bodies were disposed of.

Inspector Mark Arthurs has made a public appeal for information. He has asked anyone with knowledge about the circumstances surrounding this discovery to come forward and assist with the investigation. The police are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has recently purchased a giant tortoise in the area or knows of someone who normally has a large number of tortoises but now has fewer.

It is a heartbreaking and mysterious situation, and the police are determined to find answers. The loss of these magnificent creatures is not only a tragedy for their owners but also for the conservation of this vulnerable species. The public's help is needed to shed light on this puzzling case and bring those responsible to justice. If you have any information, please do not hesitate to contact the police.

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