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A Florida snapping turtle was recently left outside a zoo in Vaughan, Ont., marking the second case of reptile abandonment that zoo officials have encountered this year.
Reptilia Vaughan shared on Facebook Friday that the turtle was found in a bin outside its facility near Rutherford and Creditstone roads. A note referred to the turtle as “Gilberto.”
This is now the second reptile abandoned at their doors this year, according to the zoo.
“Every week, Reptilia receives inquiries for aquatic turtles to be surrendered in our care and often, due to their long lives and solitary lifestyles, we must say no and point the owners to other resources and organizations,” they stated.
“Leaving a reptile at our front door, subject to the elements does not change capacity, and only limits our abilities to help.”
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A snapping turtle named “Gilberto” is shown abandoned outside Reptilia Vaughan. The zoo reported Friday that Gilberto is now the second reptile left outside its doors this year. Reptilia Vaughan/photo
The zoo urged anyone who can’t care for an animal to reach out to licensed rescues or professionals for assistance.
![Click to play video: 'Animal welfare investigating abandonment of three snakes outside Whitby reptile zoo']()
1:37 Animal welfare investigating abandonment of three snakes outside Whitby reptile zoo
“I think a lot of times people aren’t meaning to do harm; they just get themselves in a situation inadvertently that is very difficult to get out of,” Carstairs said.
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If someone’s considering getting a turtle as a pet, Carstairs encouraged them to check out local shelters that specialize in “unwanted turtle species.”
-with files from ’s Catherine Mc Donald
p>© 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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A snapping turtle named “Gilberto” is shown abandoned outside Reptilia Vaughan. The zoo reported Friday that Gilberto is now the second reptile left outside its doors this year. Reptilia Vaughan/photo
The zoo urged anyone who can’t care for an animal to reach out to licensed rescues or professionals for assistance.
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Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story. This sentiment was echoed by Sue Carstairs, executive and medical director at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre. “The whole issue is with unwanted, what they considered pets, and then not knowing what to do with it,” she mentioned. Carstairs advised that the best course of action is to contact local shelters to see who might be able to take in the animal or if they believe it’s native to their area, call their local natural resources ministry. More on Canada More videos She also emphasized that people should steer clear of releasing animals into the wild.
1:37 Animal welfare investigating abandonment of three snakes outside Whitby reptile zoo
“I think a lot of times people aren’t meaning to do harm; they just get themselves in a situation inadvertently that is very difficult to get out of,” Carstairs said.
Story continues below
If someone’s considering getting a turtle as a pet, Carstairs encouraged them to check out local shelters that specialize in “unwanted turtle species.”
-with files from ’s Catherine Mc Donald
p>© 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.Source link
