Hardhearted thieves have nicked a £2000 haul of exotic animals intended for children’s Christmas presents.
The Fin Room in Motherwell broke the news of the raid - which netted 15 tortoises, three geckos and two orchid mantises - on social media.
Police have launched a probe to catch the culprits and raised fears that the animal may die in the cold weather if not cared for properly.
The animals, including 15 tortoises valued at around £125 each, three geckos valued at £50 each and two orchid mantises valued at £22 each, were taken from the shop in the town’s Albert Street at some time between Friday night and Saturday morning.
The shop posted an appeal to get the animals back. They wrote: “We were broken into last night and all our tortoises are gone, these were for people and children’s Christmas, we have caught the two men on camera that were in the shop yesterday.
“Police are involved, they have trashed out reptile room and broken the window. They have left animals outside in the cold to die, we are doing all we can to save them.
"They have also took three leopard geckos and a fan foot gecko and 15 tortoises also two orchid mantis have been stolen too.”
Police Scotland’s Inspector Hugh Burns said: “This would appear to have been a deliberate and targeted act.
"We need to find these animals as soon as possible as they could suffer harm or even die due to being away from their normal, warm environment.
“I would appeal to anyone who has been offered these animals or who knows anything about them being offered for sale to get in touch.”
