Scarborough Sea Life Centre Aquarium Takes In 100 Mississippi Map Turtle Babies

By Michaela Bowness 

Scarborough, UK - A home has been offered at Scarborough Sea Life centre for up to100 baby turtles flown into Heathrow with invalid import documents.

Over 200 baby Mississippi Map Turtles, each about the size of a 50-pence-piece, were destined for the UK pet trade, but were confiscated by Customs officers when it was discovered they were not accompanied by the correct paperwork.

They ended up in the care of Heathrow-based Specialist Wildlife Services, who have now found homes for just over 100 each at special Turtle Sanctuaries – including the new Turtle Sanctuary at Scarborough Sea Life centre, due to open to the public on February 12th 2009. 

There was no question of this being an attempt to smuggle them through, as these were captive-bred turtles of a species that is not endangered.

Customs officials are enforcing rules very rigidly as rogue traders try to smuggle animals of all kinds illegally and so the mistake with the documents meant that the turtles had to be confiscated.

Happily for the turtles, the document blunder has guaranteed them quality accommodation and expert care.

Their arrival has proved a major boon for the Scarborough Sea Life Centre which actually opens a brand-new purpose built freshwater Turtle Sanctuary and breeding facility next month.

“We will now have a spectacular nursery attraction teeming with turtle tots from the outset,” said delighted senior aquarist Todd German.

Native to the Mississippi and Missouri, Map turtles are one of the smaller species. Females can reach 19 cms but males only 10 cms. They can live to as long as 40 years.

The new Turtle Sanctuary at Scarborough Sea Life will join international efforts to generate captive bred stock for future re-introduction programmes.