Rare pets taken from Littlehampton shop

STAFF fear for the safety of two rare reptiles, stolen from a Littlehampton pet shop.

The endangered baby spur-thighed tortoises, which need specialist care, were taken from their cage in Animal Magic, in Duke Street, between 2.30 and 3.30pm on Thursday (June 11), while the shop was open.

Manager Tom Bowden said: "If whoever has taken them does not know what they are doing, these babies could die. We are very concerned about their welfare, it has been very upsetting.

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"They need special UV lights and special food.They are too small to go outdoors on their own '” they would get cold and might be attacked by dogs or foxes."

The store has put up a 150 reward anyone with information that leads to the safe return of the animals, which are two years old and had been on sale in the shop for about two months.

Tom added that the tortoises, which were too young to sex and are each about the size of a lemon, were on the endangered species register, meaning they cannot be sold without CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) certificates, though these were not taken

by the thieves.

"That means that no other pet shop should take them. They retail for 169 each, so they are worth something on the black market," said Tom.

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"They are relatively easy to care for if you have all the right equipment, but that it itself is not cheap. The right light bulb alone can cost up to 60 or 70."

St Peter Allan, of Littlehampton police, said CCTV footage was being studied by officers.

"People being offered animals like this for sale should remember that handling stolen goods is illegal. Also, in this situation, it may seem a nice idea, but people often do not realise the full husbandry that is required by such animals."

He added that anyone who is offered these tortoises, or has any information, should call PC Amy Hickling on 0845 60 70 999.

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