A non-native terrapin has been found in a pond at a city centre park.
The discovery at the pond in Queen's Park, Brighton, has caused police to issue a warning to people with unwanted pets.
Brighton and Hove Police posted on social media this afternoon to say a red-eared slider, a species usually native to the southern United States and northern Mexico, had been found in the city park.
Brighton and Hove Police recovered a terrapin from the pond in Queen's Park
The freshwater terrapin is the most popular pet turtle in the United States and is also popular as a pet across the rest of the world.
A police spokesman said: "A red-eared slider aka terrapin was found in the pond at Queen's Park today.
"These are non-native and can be destructive to our native animals.
"Please take found or unwanted pets to a local animal shelter to protect them and our local wildlife."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel