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Fisherman pulls in giant turtle | Fisherman pulls in giant turtle |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The North American alligator snapping turtle has been rehomed | The North American alligator snapping turtle has been rehomed |
An angler fishing for carp at a West Midlands reservoir pulled in a 25kg (four stone) alligator snapping turtle. | |
Steve Bellion, 23, caught the giant reptile at Earlswood Lakes near Solihull last Friday. | Steve Bellion, 23, caught the giant reptile at Earlswood Lakes near Solihull last Friday. |
It is believed the animal has been biting through anglers' lines and preying on wildlife for about a decade. | It is believed the animal has been biting through anglers' lines and preying on wildlife for about a decade. |
The creature has been rehomed at West Midland Safari Park in Worcestershire where it is hoped it will mate with a male of the same species. | The creature has been rehomed at West Midland Safari Park in Worcestershire where it is hoped it will mate with a male of the same species. |
It is thought the North American animal was released by a private owner after becoming too big. | It is thought the North American animal was released by a private owner after becoming too big. |
'Special animal' | 'Special animal' |
Anglers claim the reptile has escaped after being caught by lines on previous occasions. | Anglers claim the reptile has escaped after being caught by lines on previous occasions. |
The alligator snapping turtle, North America's largest freshwater turtle, can weigh over 80kg (12.5 stone) and live to 160 years old. | |
Bob Lawrence, director of wildlife at West Midland Safari Park, said: "Thankfully alligator snapping turtles are a rarity in British waters - they can create havoc for native species. | Bob Lawrence, director of wildlife at West Midland Safari Park, said: "Thankfully alligator snapping turtles are a rarity in British waters - they can create havoc for native species. |
"It's great the turtle now has a safe home. She appears to be in good health, and as we also have a male of the same species, we will be checking compatibility to ascertain the possibility of mating." | "It's great the turtle now has a safe home. She appears to be in good health, and as we also have a male of the same species, we will be checking compatibility to ascertain the possibility of mating." |
It is thought the creature pulled from Earlswood Lakes is about 80 years old. | It is thought the creature pulled from Earlswood Lakes is about 80 years old. |
British Waterways ecologist Paul Wilkinson said: "Although it is a shame that we are taking this special animal out of the wild, it is necessary to protect the natural balance." | British Waterways ecologist Paul Wilkinson said: "Although it is a shame that we are taking this special animal out of the wild, it is necessary to protect the natural balance." |