Tortoises taken from Indianapolis Zoo found safe

UPDATE (October 29, 2025):

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – A pair of tortoises is back at the Indianapolis Zoo after going missing earlier this month. Zoo personnel realized the Egyptian tortoise and Northern Spider tortoise were missing on October 12th and reported it to the police on October 23rd. Police have recovered the tortoises, which are both part of an endangered species.

Capitol Police issued the following on Tuesday:

The Egyptian and Northern Spider tortoises taken from the Indianapolis Zoo earlier this month were found safe and uninjured this afternoon in Falls Park, which is located in the Madison County city of Pendleton.

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.

The tortoises were later positively identified as the two reported stolen after having their microchips scanned by Zoo personnel.

Currently, this incident remains under investigation and there is no additional information to release publicly.

Assisting the Capitol Police in the recovery and subsequent on-going investigation are the Pendleton Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General and the Indianapolis Zoo.

ORIGINAL STORY:

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – Two tortoises are reported stolen from the Indianapolis Zoo. Indiana State Police say they were taken from the zoo between October 11th and October 12th.

Both are from endangered species: one is an Egyptian tortoise, and the other is a Northern Spider tortoise. Anyone with information is asked to call the Capitol Police Section of the Indiana State Police or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana.

Read more HERE

Capitol Police issued the following:

The Capitol Police Section of the Indiana State Police is asking for the public’s help in locating two tortoises which were stolen from the Indianapolis Zoo earlier this month.

According to investigators, the theft occurred sometime between 10:00 a.m. on October 11th and 10:00 a.m. on October 12th. Both species, an Egyptian tortoise and a Northern Spider tortoise are currently listed as critically endangered species.

Both tortoises are microchipped, and the Egyptian tortoise is said to have a prominent scar on its underside.

Anyone with any information related to this theft is asked to call either the Capitol Police at (317) 234-2131 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-TIPS (8477).

Currently, there is no additional information available for release.