Baby turtles rescued by border officials not at the Calgary Zoo
The Calgary Zoo says 11 baby turtles rescued from a shipment destined for Calgary are not currently in its possession.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) seized the tiny reptiles measuring 3.81 centimetres in diameter after coming across a "suspicious envelope" on Aug. 8.
CBSA said today in its third-quarter highlights released to the media that the turtles were donated to the Calgary Zoo.
But the Calgary Zoo said while it took care of them for a weekend, it did not keep the turtles.
They were handed over to Environment Canada wildlife enforcement officers.
"We were just turtle-sitting," said zoo spokesperson Trish Exton-Parder.
She said the zoo received a lot of inquiries today about the baby turtles.
CBC News has put in a request to find out what happened to the rescued reptiles.
Reptile expo
For those in Calgary that do want to check out turtles, there is an expo going on this weekend in the city.
A 100-pound giant Sulcatta tortoise named Speedo will be on hand.
“We encourage people to come and get hands-on with the animals. It’s often an experience that will allow you to overcome your fears,” said Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society vice-president Glyn Hersom.
The Calgary Reptile Expo runs Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m. at the Genesis Centre located at 7555 Falconridge Blvd. N.E.
