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Stolen Zoo Tortoises Discovered Dumped in Park near Indianapolis

Incident Date:
10/29/2025
Location:
Indianapolis, IN - USA
Facility Name:
Indianapolis Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Legal/illegal issue (LI)
Species:
Reptiles
Animal:
Tortoise
Animal disposition:
Recaptured

Summary:

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Two tortoises taken from the Indianapolis Zoo have been found and were unharmed, Indiana State Police said. The Egyptian and Northern Spider tortoises were taken from the zoo between Oct. 11-12 during operating hours, police previously said.

On Oct. 28, officials said the critically endangered tortoises were found in Falls Park, which is located in Pendleton, roughly a 50-minute drive northeast of Indianapolis. According to the Pendleton Police Department, at approximately 4:00 p.m., they received a call from park visitors who, while walking on a sidewalk behind the park’s museum, near the falls, came across an unattended cardboard box. The box was said to have had a paper plate on top with a note referencing the Indianapolis Zoo. Inside, the visitors found the two tortoises and immediately called police, who arrived within minutes and took custody of them.

Currently, this incident remains under investigation and police will release more information when it becomes available.

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