Toulouse. Will the turtle refuge, currently closed, reopen its doors?

What will happen to the turtle refuge in Bessières, near Toulouse? This structure unique in France is in a legal storm. Tuesday April 23, 2024, a legal operation was launched there, under the authority of the Toulouse public prosecutor.

Since then, the shelter has been closed until further notice. No communication has been made by the association.

Three people indicted

A Preliminary investigation has been open for several months “following reports concerning illegal practices organized by the management of this refuge (irregular conditions of conservation and accommodation of protected animals, release into the wild of specimens, invasive species …)”, explained the public prosecutor of Toulouse, Samuel Vuelta-Simon, Tuesday April 23.

Three people placed in police custody – the president of the association, an employee and a volunteer – were “indicted and under judicial supervision”, confirms the Toulouse prosecutor’s office, contacted by News.

Open judicial information

A judicial investigation was opened for breach of trust to the detriment of the association, mistreatment of an animal, and for “numerous environmental offenses such as attacks on the conservation of protected species or the release of invasive exotic species into the nature, also abuse and acts of cruelty on animals,” adds the prosecution.

The acts alleged are punishable by 7 years of imprisonment and a fine of 750,000 euros.

But what happens to the turtles?

And on the shelter’s Facebook page, concern reigns. On their latest publication, the comments are pouring in. Internet users are demanding answers from the association on the future of reptiles.

“The turtles are seized and still at the shelter, provided with a guardian. A provisional administrator was appointed on Friday April 26 at the request of the public prosecutor’s office to manage the refuge,” explains the Toulouse public prosecutor’s office.

Should we be worried about a permanent closure? Justice considers that a “reopening is unlikely, given the problems, particularly health ones”. Doubt then hangs over the future of these animals.

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