A Scots zoo has rescued more than 100 baby tortoises that were destined for the dinner plate before being seized by authorities.
The Five Sisters Zoo will now rear the adorable 113 hatchlings after they arrived at the West Lothian centre on Saturday.
Staff have shared pictures of their new residents and urged animal lovers to consider ‘adopting’ one in a bid to raise funds for their rescue work.
The tortoises were seized as part of an illegal international wildlife trafficking operation which was thwarted by authorities.
The zoo said: “We have today rescued 113 red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis Carbonaria).
“These hatchling tortoises were seized as part of an illegal international operation by law enforcement.
“They were taken from the wild and were destined for either human food consumption or for the pet trade.
“We are not permitted to disclose any details regarding the source or origin of the tortoises.
“We will provide a suitable and safe environment for them here at the zoo and we will rear them until they require more space to grow.”
The family-run zoo plans to rehome some of their tortoise creep but hope to raise enough funds to build them their own enclosure to keep them altogether.
They added: “Either way these tortoises will be well looked after and have a life that they most likely would not have had if they had not been rescued.
“Originally from countries including Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, these tortoises sadly cannot be safely returned to the wild, and it is tragic that the start of their life has been so horribly difficult, but the zoo is determined to care for them and give them a better life.”
Within hours, kind-hearted Scots had adopted all 113 of the tortoises meaning they will be given the honour of naming their new pal.
Zoo-lovers can still sponsor one of the new residents for just £30 and will receive a certificate and fact-sheet about the critter.
Red-footed tortoises are considered a “vulnerable” species to their South American habitat being destroyed.
They are also commonly taken from the wild and smuggled abroad where they are either used for their meat or kept as pets.
For more information on how to adopt the tortoises, please click here.
