ARCHIVED - Mazarron police issue warning to pet owners after finding tortoise

Police officers have also warned that invasive tortoise species are becoming more common in Murcia rivers

After finding a spur-thighed tortoise, also known as the Greek Tortoise, Local Police in Mazarrón have reminded people via their Facebook page that it is illegal to keep these animals as pets.

“Since 2015, keeping a spur-thighed tortoise as a pet or selling one is considered a crime, and can carry prison sentences of 6 months to 2 years,” they specified.

This tortoise – known in Spanish as a ‘tortuga mora’ – is a protected species and is under threat of extinction.

The specimen has been returned to its native habitat, but sources from the Guardia Civil’s Nature Protection Service (Seprona) have said that the invasive species of pond slider tortoises (Trachemys scripta) are ruining the delicate ecosystem of the Region of Murcia.

Originally from America and not native to Murcia, these types of tortoises were common years ago as pets as they were small and did not require excessive attention. But after they grow up (they can measure up to 30 centimetres and live for up to 40 years) and become more aggressive, many people choose to release them in rivers, especially in the Segura and in the Ojós, where they are considered an invasive species, according to Seprona.

What’s more, even when officers find specimens of this animal, they are not allowed to take them to the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre in Murcia since only native animals are allowed to stay there.

Always be conscientious when buying or adopting a pet, and ensure that any animal you have is legal and will not cause harm to the local environment.

Image: Policía Local de Mazarrón