A reptile rescue in Tucson is transferring 30 non-native sulcata tortoises to a sanctuary in Texas after reaching capacity and needing to repair damaged enclosures.
Southern Arizona Reptile Rescue & Education currently cares for about 40 tortoises, ranging in size from as small as a golf ball to as large as 200 pounds.
Founder Cressi Brown says the facility receives about 20 tortoises a month. Many are brought in as strays after people find them wandering through neighborhoods and assume they are escaped pets.
But Brown says some of these animals are part of a growing feral population, and their original owners rarely come forward to claim them.
The rescue is hoping to transfer as many tortoises as possible to a sanctuary in Burleson, Texas, where they will have more space.
Brown says some of the larger tortoises have become strong enough to dig through and damage their holding pens, making repairs necessary. The animals must be moved before that work can be completed.
“Luckily, we have a great network that works with us and they are coming to take all of them so that we can get those repairs made,” Brown said.
But the space problem is unlikely to go away. Brown suspects the rescue could be caring for just as many tortoises again within a few months.
She says the problem often begins when people buy tortoises as exotic pets without understanding their long-term needs.
Some species can grow to 200 pounds and live up to 100 years. Although they may be small enough to fit in the palm of a hand when purchased, Brown says they can become too large for their owners to manage within about a decade.
Brown also warns that reptiles require specialized care, including appropriate lighting, heating, diet and habitat conditions. Without proper care, they can develop serious health problems and physical deformities.
For Brown, the constant influx of surrendered and abandoned tortoises highlights the responsibility that comes with owning an exotic animal.
“If you’re not going to take care of it forever, don’t get it,” Brown said.
The rescue hopes the transfer to Texas will give the tortoises more room while allowing staff to repair their enclosures and continue caring for animals in need.
