Two tortoises found abandoned in Stockport Park being cared for by RSPCA

The RSPCA have rescued two tortoises that were left in a cardboard box in Bramhall Hall park in Stockport.

They were found by a member of the public on Monday, with the RSPCA saying that exotic pets are often abandoned once the "novelty" of looking after them wears off.

RSPCA Exotics Officer Gina Ratcliff said: 'The two tortoises were quite lethargic when my Animal Collection Officer colleague Emma Dwan collected them from the concerned member of public who had found them.

"But happily, other than that they seemed healthy, though the female was a little subdued to start with.

"They will now be fostered until we are in a position to put them up for rehoming.

"We think they are both quite young, and now they are living in appropriate conditions, they have become bright and alert."

The RSPCA say that they want to encourage prospective owners of any reptile, including tortoises, to thoroughly research the animal's needs before buying or rescuing one.

They added that caring for them can be difficult because of the environment that they need to live in.