TOURISTS have been reminded to take care about what they bring home after two rare Tunisian tortoise babies were jetted illegally into the region.
The babies, estimated to be about three months old, were handed to the Reptile Trust in Burnopfield after being brought through Newcastle Airport without being detected.
Curator Peter Heathcote said: "People on holiday in Tunisia are purchasing baby tortoises for as little as £10 from markets and bringing them back to England.
"Many don't realise they are committing a serious offence under UK law as well as affecting the survival of this endangered species."
The species doesn't hibernate and can't survive in British gardens.
The trust has now obtained the paperwork from Customs and Excise to allow the animals to be re-homed in this country.
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