A week before the world learned of a jewelry heist in France, the Indianapolis Zoo was dealing with a theft of its own — two small tortoises.
The Northern Spider Tortoise and the Egyptian Tortoise, both members of critically endangered species, were stolen sometime between 10 a.m. on October 11 and 10 a.m. on October 12.
Indiana State Police Captain Ron Galaviz said the tortoises are very small — each only about the size of a person’s hand. He added that investigators aren’t sure why the animals were taken but believe there could be a market for them.
“Like everything, there’s probably a black market for these species somewhere,” Galaviz said. “I personally wouldn’t know where to begin to look for that.”
A spokesperson for the Indianapolis Zoo said staff remain hopeful for the tortoises’ safe return.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Capitol Police or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana.
