The bodies of seven tortoises worth £70,000 may have been dumped in a remote woodland by smugglers, expert says

Seven tortoises found dead in a remote woodland were worth up to £70,000 and may have been dumped by smugglers, an expert said last night. The Aldabra giant tortoises – classed as vulnerable by conservation groups – were found in Ashclyst Forest near Exeter. The Aldabra giant tortoises – classed as vulnerable by conservation groups – were found in Ashclyst Forest near Exeter It's not the first time a tortoise has been found in the National Trust-owned woodland. In December 2021, Vale Vets Devon posted an appeal on its Facebook page for the owners of a giant tortoise that had been found in the forest The Aldabra giant tortoises – classed as vulnerable by conservation groups – were found in Ashclyst Forest near Exeter She said: 'It's very upsetting. The giant Aldabra tortoise found in 2021 was not microchipped The tortoise found in 2021 died soon after being handed in to Vale Vets' Cullompton branch 'It's just such a shock.