Staff at Dudley Zoo are ‘overjoyed’ to announce the safe return of two Coahuilan Box Turtles who were stolen last week.

The pair were found by a member of the public three miles away near a playground in Tipton and were returned to the zoo just after 9am yesterday morning.

Both males have been checked over by the zoo’s veterinary team and appear to be well. A spokesperson said:

“They have been returned to the Reptile House where they will remain off-show in quarantine for the next week. 

“Work will continue over the next few days as we install extra security measures alongside the Reptile House exhibit window locks and staff will continue manning the area.”