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Tortoise found covered with paint and concrete

Posted at 10:38 PM, Apr 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-22 00:38:41-04

Wildlife officials are trying to figure out who is responsible for spray painting a gopher tortoise red and covering its limbs with concrete. 

The tortoise, named Rafael, was spotted crossing a road in Lake County, Florida. 

Rafael landed in the loving arms of Kim Titterington, who runs a wildlife rescue group called Swamp Girl Adventures.

"The chemicals in the paint can actually seep through the shell and skin and once it gets into their blood stream it can affect their vital organs," said Titterington.

Volunteers are carefully chipping away the concrete and gently scrubbing the red paint off with dishwashing liquid.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering a reward for information that leads to a suspect.

Read more: http://bit.ly/2HCqhSI