Critically endangered tortoises stolen from zoo, police say

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. ( WXIX /Gray News) – Two critically endangered tortoises are missing after they were stolen from the Indianapolis Zoo, according to Indiana State Police.

The animals were taken from the zoo sometime between 10 a.m. Oct. 11 and 10 a.m. Oct. 12, troopers explained.

One of the tortoises is an Egyptian tortoise and the other is a Northern Spider tortoise, ISP said.

Both are microchipped and critically endangered species, according to state police.

The Egyptian tortoise does have a “prominent” scar on its underside that could help someone identify the stolen animal, troopers explained.

The Egyptian tortoise species grows to be about 4 inches long and weighs 1 pound, the Indianapolis Zoo says. The animal is endangered because of habitat loss and pet trade, the zoo expla