The Tortoise Sanctuary

The BATK Sanctuary is run by Chris Roberts. Sick or unwanted tortoises donated to  BATK can be homed there until they are ready for fostering. There are separate pens inside the main building which connect via a closable hatch to runs outside. During hot weather the tortoises can roam in and out as they wish. In colder weather the hatches are closed to keep the tortoises inside in the warmth. Having multiple independent pens each with their own run outside allows tortoises of different sizes and sexes to be kept separate and reduce fighting between them.

There can be in excess of twenty tortoises in the sanctuary at any one time. Some of these just need feeding up to restore their weight to a healthy level. Others have suffered injuries needing more attention and veterinary treatment.

Inside the sanctuary all tortoises have access to a basking lamp suspended about 18 inches above the ground. In addition, heaters keep the background air temperature at 20 degrees centigrade.

The tortoises will choose to bask under the lamps so as to increase their body temperature sufficiently to eat and digest their food. Food is made available within the pens, but when warm enough they become active and explore their runs for other food sources.

Having the right temperature conditions is sufficient to get most tortoises feeding properly again.

This tortoise became egg-bound and required a hysterectomy! The portion of the plastron that had to be removed for the operation has been repaired with a resin.

George was caught by a dog and had the front of his shell gnawed away. Luckily no soft tissue was damaged, and is now recovering well. He is kept in a vivarium at a higher temperature than in the main sanctuary to speed up the rate of healing.

A new tortoise "hospital" building has been set up recently next to the sanctuary. This will provide a better environment for BATK to care for particularly sick tortoises.

Hibernating all of the tortoises kept in the sanctuary requires a large fridge! Even this industrial sized cooler becomes full with boxes of hibernating tortoises over the winter.