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Tracking devices for speedy(ish) reptiles

We can se the use for tracking devices to keep tabs on rare birds and other endangered species, to track the migratory patterns of certain fish, to make sure your cat doesn’t stray too far when you move house, or even to make sure no-one cheats when racing pigeons. But surely only the laziest pet owner needs to plant a tracking device on a tortoise? A woman in Colchester disagrees…

Jane Williams, who runs a tortoise sanctuary from her home, was so fed up with looking for her tortoises she has fitted them with a tracker device. She uses a handheld scanner to hunt down her 60 animals, reports the East Anglian Daily Times. The tracker device is attached to their shells with a removable sticky pad.

Ms Williams said: “I think they are absolutely fantastic. Contrary to popular belief tortoises can actually move quite fast. They are real escape artists. They can climb walls, hide in bushes and bury themselves. We find them in all sorts of unusual places. It is amazing how difficult it can be to find them.”

Difficult, Ms Williams? Really?

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .