Staff shell-shocked after Huck the tortoise stolen from Edinburgh enclosure
The eight-year-old red-footed tortoise needs special lamps and a specialist diet and staff are concerned for his welfare.
Thursday 22 February 2018 13:53, UK
Police have launched a hunt for Huck the tortoise after he was stolen from a visitor attraction near Edinburgh.
They have warned that, without special lamps and a special diet, his health is at serious risk.
Huck, an 8 year-old red-footed tortoise, was taken from his enclosure at Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World in Lasswade. The theft took place between midday and 2pm on Wednesday.
The tortoise was being kept in an area that was not enclosed.
He has been a popular attraction since arriving at the Midlothian centre four years ago. The tortoise has been used in feeding demonstrations for visiting schoolchildren and other members of the public.
Officers hunting for Huck have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Constable Ian Worrall from Dalkeith police station said: "Huck is a very popular attraction at Butterfly World and the staff are very concerned that he may not be getting looked after properly following his theft.
"He requires special lamps and a specialist diet otherwise his health could be seriously affected and we are treating this matter very seriously."
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World said: "Staff are upset. We are working closely with the police and are doing everything we can to try and get Huck back safe and sound as soon as possible.
"The welfare and safety of our animals is of the utmost importance to us and we are reviewing our procedures internally to prevent something like this happening again."
:: Anyone with information can contact Dalkeith police station via 101 and quote incident number 1883 of 21 of February, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.