Authorities seize four giant tortoises, including 500-pounder, from Highlands home

NJ.Com

HIGHLANDS — Authorities are seizing four tortoises, including one weighing 500 pounds, from a Monmouth County home and are relocating them to a zoo.

The state Environmental Protection Department says animal cruelty charges are being pursued by the Monmouth County SPCA against the property owner in Highlands.

DEP spokesman Larry Ragonese says neighbors reported what they described as "crying" by the tortoises and were feeding them. The tortoises were being kept in the yard.

The reptiles are being taken to the Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey.

Ragonese says besides the 500-pounder, there was a 200-pound tortoise and two 20-pounders. The reptiles are Aldabra tortoises, which are second in size only to the Galapagos tortoise. The owner apparently obtained the tortoises 15 years ago in California.