Reptile Adventures in Nampa says 75-pound tortoise goes missing, believes it was stolen
NAMPA, Idaho (CBS 2) — A 75-pound tortoise named Twister, used in educational programs for Nampa-based Reptile Adventures, has gone missing according to the non-profit.
Workers with the group say Twister was likely stolen on Monday afternoon and that there was no evidence of him breaking out of the fenced yard. The group's other five tortoises were all accounted for.
Twister was surrended to the rescue after his previous "uneducated" owners painted his shell.
"He's touched the hearts of hundreds of people in the valley," Reptile Adventures said in an email. "Please help us keep and ear and eye out for someone who suddenly acquired a very large, painted (white, blue, yellow and red) tortoise in their yard."
Tyler Messina, president of Reptile Adventures, told CBS 2 News that workers have filed a report with animal control.
"Twister's one of the favorites around the shop," Messina said. "It's hard to believe someone would steal a pet like that. It's like a whole other level of stealing. We're just trying to stay strong and hopefully he will come back."
The non-profit's original post about Twister has been shared more than 600 times as of Tuesday morning.
