WILDLIFE CENTER OF VIRGINIA TO TRANSFER AFRICAN TORTOISE TO NEW HOME AT BUSCH GARDENS

On Tuesday, June 12, the Wildlife Center of Virginia, a leading teaching and research hospital for native wildlife, will be saying good-bye to one of its most memorable patients - an African Spurred Tortoise. The tortoise is being transferred to Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Virginia. Robert Yordi, Zoological Manager for Busch Gardens, will come to the Wildlife Center's clinic in Waynesboro to pick up the massive reptile; Yordi is expected at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

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The African Spurred Tortoise is a species native to the dry regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Named for the large spurs that are located on its thighs, the Spurred Tortoise can live up to 100 years and grow to weigh more than 100 pounds. While the tortoise at the Wildlife Center is believed to be relatively young, the bushel basket-sized tortoise already weighs about 30 pounds and is the largest reptile of any type ever treated at the Wildlife Center.

The tortoise was found walking up a driveway in Albemarle County earlier this year. Center officials speculate that the animal escaped from captivity or, more likely, was turned loose by an owner. "Every year, thousands of animals are 'released' by owners who have purchased an exotic pet without really thinking through the consequences. That cute baby turtle, snake or lizard that fit nicely into a counter-top aquarium when it first came home from the pet store loses its charm when it is 30 pounds or five feet long!" exclaimed Ed Clark, Co-founder and President of the Wildlife Center.

"The consequence of dumping these unwanted pets in the wild can be profound and often devastating to the pet and to native wildlife," continued Clark, who noted that releasing these animals in the wild in nearly all cases is a crime.

The introduction of exotic animals into VirginiaÕs habitat is often fatal for the former pets, which may not be adapted to VirginiaÕs climate or available food supply. When such animals do survive and become established in alien environments, the results can be even more disastrous. These invasive species - animals from other countries or even other parts of this country - may carry parasites and diseases against which native wildlife have no defenses and often compete with native species for nesting sites and food.

Clark pointed to the European Starling as the perfect example of how invasive species can alter a landscape. The starling, whose population in North America is said to number 200 million, has become one of the most common and destructive birds in the U.S. These birds are descendants of a small group of starlings deliberately released into New York City's Central Park.

The pet trade - legal and illegal - can devastate species in their native habitats, Clark noted, and is often the most serious threat to the survival of certain species. Hundreds of millions of reptiles and amphibians are legally imported to the U.S. each year; millions of additional reptiles, birds, and other species are smuggled in. Especially in the illegal trade, entire populations of wildlife are frequently wiped out to supply the black-market demand for wild pets.

While the large tortoise being transferred from the Wildlife Center was almost certainly bred in captivity, the African Spurred Tortoise is considered to be an endangered species in its native habitat. Habitat destruction and its popularity in the pet trade have nearly wiped out this gentle giant in many areas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed restrictions on the importation and interstate trade of African Spurred Tortoises.

At the Wildlife Center, the tortoise was given a full physical examination, including x-rays and laboratory tests, and was found to be in good health. After his arrival at Busch Gardens Europe, the tortoise will be held for 30 days in the zoological support area, under the care of the Animal Interaction Team of the Zoological Department. He will then be on public display for guests in the Conservation Station at Jack Hanna's Wildlife Reserve. Later this summer, the tortoise will move to his permanent home at Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida - one of the Anheuser-Busch Adventure parks. The tortoise will be part of the Animal Interaction Team and serve as an ambassador for animal conservation on the white-sand beach areas of Discovery Cove.

"We are grateful to Anheuser-Busch for providing a new home and good habitat - in an area with a year-round warm climate - for this tortoise," Clark said. "And we're delighted that he will be moving to a place where he will serve as a 'spokesperson' for species conservation and appropriate pet ownership."

Every year, about 2,500 animals - ranging from Bald Eagles to chipmunks - are brought to the Wildlife Center for care. While most of these animals are native species, each year the Center treats a few non-native, "exotic" animals that, most often, have been kept as pets. In recent years, exotics that have come through the Center have included alligators, caimans, snakes, and the African Spurred Tortoise.

The Wildlife Center is an internationally acclaimed teaching and research hospital for wildlife and conservation medicine, celebrating 25 years of service during 2007. Since its founding in 1982, the nonprofit Center has cared for more than 47,000 wild animals, representing 200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The Center's public education programs share insights gained through the care of injured and orphaned wildlife, in hopes of reducing human damage to wildlife. The Center trains veterinary and conservation professionals from all over the world and is actively involved in comprehensive wildlife health studies and the surveillance of emerging diseases. Among the Center's most important international activities is training police and law enforcement agencies, particularly in Latin America, to deal with the wild animals seized from the illegal trade in protected wildlife. Additional information about the Wildlife Center is available at www.wildlifecenter.org.

For more than 40 years, Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks have initiated and supported wildlife conservation, research, and education programs in the United States and around the world, including programs that return healthy animals to the wild. Busch Entertainment Corporation operates nine parks across the country, including Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Discovery Cove in Orlando, and SeaWorld Adventure Parks in San Diego, Orlando, and San Antonio. SeaWorld Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove care for the largest animal collection in the world. Additional information about Busch Entertainment Corporations is available at www.4adventure.com.