FIVE turtles have been cruelly abandoned at the side of a busy road in Barby.
They were found in a plastic storage box in Daventry Road at 4pm on Thursday March 16.
Four of the turtles have been identified as common musk turtles, and the fifth as a map turtle.
They are now in the care of a specialist exotics centre.
RSPCA Animal Welfare Officer Ben Jones, who collected the turtles, said: “The turtles had been irresponsibly left at the side of a busy road, compromising their own safety.
“Who knows how long they had been there for, but we’re grateful that they were found and they are now in the best place.”
The RSPCA’s exotics senior scientific officer said she was concerned about the growing number of calls the organisation is receiving about abandoned reptiles.
Nicola White said: “Last year we rescued 1,700 reptiles, many as a result of being abandoned like these turtles.
“Sadly many owners who buy exotic pets on impulse don’t find out how to care for the animals first and they are often handed over to buyers in pet shops with little or no information about how to care for them, or the commitment that is involved in keeping them healthy.
“As a result reptiles are often abandoned, given up to animal rescue centres or even released into the countryside.”
She added turtles had become sought-after pets in the late 80s when the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters first shot to fame, which led to large numbers of unwanted terrapins being abandoned.
She said: “Reptiles may look resilient and tough on the outside but they are actually completely reliant on their owners for heat, light, humidity, food and water – and can easily become poorly or suffer if these are not provided at the correct levels for the species.
“We are urging potential owners to research and look into what is required in the care of their pet first before taking one on so they know what is involved and how long it is likely to be for.”
Anyone with information about the abandoned turtles in Barby is asked to call the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 123 8018.
Visit www.rspca.org.uk/exotics for more information on how to care for exotic animals.
