Customs officers shell shocked as sisters smuggle in tortoises

TWO young sisters managed to smuggle four baby tortoises past customs at Edinburgh Airport – after transporting them all the way from Tunisia.

The nine and 11-year-old girls, from Midlothian, packed the spur-thighed tortoises into their suitcases while they were on holiday after buying them for just £1.50 at a Tunisian market stall.

Their mum got the shock of her life when she unpacked the girls' suitcase and discovered the tiny creatures inside cardboard boxes with makeshift air holes.

The youngsters later got a stern talking to by customs officials who visited them at home. The young girls had been on holiday with their grandmother and great grandmother when they bought the tortoises, and her mother had no idea about their purchase.

She contacted Edinburgh Zoo upon discovering the four creatures, who advised her to get in touch with the Scottish SPCA.

The tiny tortoises, which are only a few centimetres in diameter, are now being cared for by experts at its Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre near Balerno.

The family, who have not been named, have been warned of the dangers of smuggling animals illegally into the UK by Customs, and have also been visited by Scottish SPCA inspectors.

The tortoises require specialist care, including a diet of grass and greens, UV light and a well-heated terrarium. Being smuggled into Scotland could have killed them.

They can also have salmonella and carry parasites which can be transmitted to humans, which is why importing spur-thighed tortoises into this country is illegal.

Scottish SPCA Chief Inspector Paul Anderson said: "These tortoises are extremely lucky to have survived being brought back in the hold of the aeroplane.

"Unfortunately this is becoming quite a common occurrence.

"One of the problems is people often think they are saving these animals, but in fact all they are doing is encouraging the stall holders in these markets to keep the trade going.

"It is a very cruel trade.

"These tortoises are just babies and could easily have died.

"We have advised the girls and their family of the dangers and why this was wrong.

"Our staff are now caring for the tortoises until registered keepers who can provide the specialist care they need can be found."

A spokesman for Customs & Excise warned that all animals being brought into the country must be quarantined.

He said: "Some of these animals and reptiles can carry diseases and can even be endangered which means you have to be very careful.

"If you're going to bring any live animals into this country, you've got to have the correct paperwork.

"If you're not sure about it, don't buy it, and parents should be aware that it's something which children might do.

"These girls obviously wanted to look after these tortoises as pets as they had taken the trouble of putting air holes in the boxes."

Tunisian spur-thighed tortoises make popular pets due to their small size and brightly coloured shell, which is light yellow with striking black dots in the centre.