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THE CALL (Woonsocket, Rhode Island) 11 June 06 Tortoise cleared of bomb-carrying charges (Seth Bromley)
Cumberland: A 14-year-old African spurred tortoise found in Glocester last week has taken refuge at the Cumberland Animal Shelter, but media reports that it was carrying a homemade bomb were mistaken, according to Assistant Animal Control Officer Sandy Phillips.
The tortoise arrived at the animal shelter about 10 days ago, after it had been found crawling along Putnam Pike in Glocester with a device taped to the top of its shell, Phillips said. Initial rumors that the device was a pipe bomb were repeated on the animal shelter's Web site last week. But Phillips said the device was discovered to be a flashlight.
The African spurred tortoise, also known by its species name, sulcata, is native to northern Africa, but are commonly available as pets. The specimen in the care of the Cumberland shelter is about a foot long, though the animals can reach sizes of 18 inches or more, and weigh in at upwards of 100 pounds. They are herbivores and Phillips said it is receiving a diet of greens, vegetables and fruits.
The tortoise was brought to the Cumberland shelter by a Glocester woman. Phillips said that although she doesn't know the woman's name, she believes her to be a former animal control professional.
Phillips said that Cumberland is well known around Northern Rhode Island as the animal control department of choice to deal with odd and exotic creatures.
She and Animal Control Officer Paul Rose oversee a shelter whose residents include pythons, parrots, owls, lizards, varieties or turtles and tortoises and a 10-foot boa constrictor named Gloria. Some of the animals are being rehabilitated for return to the wild, others are awaiting owners and some are permanent residents and pets.
"We don't just tend to cats and dogs," said Phillips.
Rose and Phillips often use their menagerie to educate groups of schoolchildren about animals and pet care.
"We do programs for schools and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts," said Phillips.
Phillips said that the sulcata tortoise will remain at the shelter at least until Rose can conduct an investigation of the animal's ownership.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16772042&BRD=1712&PAG=461&dept_id=24361&rfi=6