Deported terrapins innocent
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Mistaken identity: this huge catfish is likely
to have been responsible for the carnage in
Sheepwash Pond where schoolchildren saw ducklings
being snatched from their parents
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Mistaken identity: this huge catfish is likely to have been
responsible for the carnage in Sheepwash Pond where
schoolchildren saw ducklings being snatched from their
parents
It seems that terrapins in Mill Hill were last year unfairly
vilified for terrorising' ducks and fish.
Billed as killer' tortoises the size of large dinner plates,
eight of them were humanely captured from Sheepwash Pond, in
The Ridgeway, and sent to Tuscany's European Centre for
Chelonia Conservation, which was deemed to be a better
habitat for them.
But Laurence Bard, manager of Pond Life at Finchley
Nurseries, in Burton Hole Lane, Mill Hill, is now convinced
that a catfish, removed from the pool on September 27, is
responsible for the carnage that shocked schoolchildren when
they witnessed ducklings being snatched from parents and a
mallard's legs being ripped off.
"They are voracious and ferocious and have been known to
take swans and dogs," he said.
The London Wildlife team also removed more than 1,000 fish
and several 20lb species of carp as part of the pond's
restoration project.
But how did the catfish, which can weigh up to 200lb, get
into the pond? "I have no doubt that he outgrew his tank,
and the owner thought that liberating it into Sheepwash was
a good idea," said Mr Bard.
Perhaps he hoped the catfish would also get a free trip to
Tuscany.
5:03pm Wednesday 5th October 2005
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