The Sanctuary
The
BATK sanctuary is run by Chris Roberts. Sick or unwanted tortoises donated to
the BATK can be homed there until they are ready for fostering. There are
separate pens inside the main building which connect via a closeable hatch to
runs outside. During hot 
weather the tortoises can roam in and out as they wish.
In colder weather the hatches are closed to keep the tortoises inside in the
warmth.
Having multiple independent pens each with their own run outside allows
tortoises of different sizes and sexes to be kept separate and reduce fighting
between them.
There can be in excess of twenty tortoises in the sanctuary at any one time.
Some of these just need feeding up to restore their weight to a healthy level.
Others have suffered injuries needing more attention and veterinary treatment.
Inside the sanctuary all tortoises have access to a
basking lamp suspended about 18 inches above the ground. In addition, heaters
keep the background air temperature at 20 degrees centigrade.
The
tortoises will choose to bask under the lamps so as to increase their body
temperature sufficiently to eat and digest their food. Food is made available
within the pens, but when warm enough they become active and explore their runs
for other food sources.
Climbing
on top of another tortoise gets you just that bit closer to the warmth of the
basking lamp!
Having
the right temperature conditions is sufficient to get most tortoises feeding
properly again.
This tortoise became egg-bound and required a hysterectomy! The portion of
the plastron that had to be removed for the operation has been repaired with a
resin.
George was caught by a dog and had the front of his shell gnawed away. Luckily
no soft tissue was damaged, and is now recovering well. He is kept in a vivarium
at a higher temperature than in the main sanctuary to speed up the rate of
healing.
A new tortoise "hospital" building has
been set up recently next to the sanctuary. This will provide a better
environment for BATK to care for particularly sick tortoises.
Hibernating
all of the tortoises kept in the sanctuary requires a large fridge! Even this
industrial sized cooler becomes full with boxes of hibernating tortoises over
the winter.
George was caught by a dog and had the front of his shell gnawed away. Luckily
no soft tissue was damaged, and is now recovering well. He is kept in a vivarium
at a higher temperature than in the main sanctuary to speed up the rate of
healing.
