tortoiseblog:

By Emily Allen

Last updated at 2:01 AM on 14th February 2012

He was illegally imported into Britain but Jensen has been welcomed with open arms and looks set to stay for good.

The two-year-old False Map turtle, from the Mississippi River, has been settling in at Blackpool Sea Life Centre.

He was photographed this week pacing up and down his enclosure as he familiarised himself with his new surroundings.

Moved: Jensen a two-year-old False Map turtle, from the Mississippi River, gets used to his new home at Blackpool Sea Life Centre

He was one of 50 turtles confiscated by customs after they were illegally imported into Britain.

They have all found new homes throughout the country.

The new turtle shelter at Sea Life Blackpool opened yesterday and will become a breeding centre for rare and endangered species and also for turtles who have outgrown their homes.

Border Agency staff want to stop the thriving black market which sells the creatures as pets, or for medicine or food and threatens to drive some species of turtles into extinction.

Jensen is one of 50 turtles confiscated by customs after they were illegally imported into Britain and have found new homes throughout the country

Animal smuggling is said to be worth up to £12bn a year globally.

Visitors to the new shelter in Blackpool can see how turtles live, understand the threats and hazards they face and a special periscope will allow people to see what a turtle experiences under water.

False map turtles are strong swimmers and like spending time in rivers and large creeks. They also like to spend hours basking in the sun.

Even though turtles are loners the map turtles are generally regarded as the most ‘community’ friendly turtles.

Pint-sized: The new turtle shelter at Sea Life Blackpool opened yesterday and will become a breeding centre for rare and endangered species and also for turtles who have outgrown their homes.

via dailymail.co.uk

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