Turtle Triumph: Pingtung Police Recover Stolen Tortoises

A Victory for Sulcata Tortoises in Taiwan as Authorities Track Down Stolen Pets

Taipei, April 8 – In a victory for animal lovers, Taiwanese police in Pingtung County have successfully recovered eight of thirty stolen African spurred tortoises, with the search for the remaining creatures ongoing.

Following a report received last Saturday regarding the theft of thirty African spurred tortoises from a breeding farm in Changzhi Township, each weighing approximately 20-30 kilograms, authorities swiftly launched an investigation. Chang Ching-hsiung (張清雄), head of a local police station, confirmed the recovery and ongoing efforts to reporters.

The police investigation led to the arrest of eight individuals suspected of the theft, who were taken in for questioning on Monday.

The diligent efforts of the police resulted in the recovery of eight of the stolen tortoises, which were found at the residence of a 20-year-old man surnamed Liu (劉), according to Chang.

The case has been handed over to the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office for further investigation, Liu added.

The African spurred tortoise, also known as the sulcata tortoise, is classified as an endangered species and is indigenous to the Sahara Desert region of Africa. These creatures are also popular pets across Taiwan.

As a cautionary measure, the police encourage owners of valuable or unique pets to implement robust security measures at their breeding sites. This includes installing monitoring systems, secure fencing, and access control protocols, as well as conducting regular inspections to minimize the risk of future thefts.