5 Reptiles Including Rare Albino Red-Tailed Boa Stolen From Florida Animal Park

Three snakes and two tortoises were stolen from a Florida animal park in the wee hours of Wednesday (June 17).

Someone entered the Everglades Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs and cut the locks to the animal enclosures before stealing two red-tailed boas, a ball python and two Russian tortoises. One of the snakes was a rare adult albino red-tailed boa, named Hera, which was considered "an animal ambassador".

Speaking about the incident, Leslie Stout, curator at Wonder Gardens, said Hera is "the main snake used for education. She has been at every event, Enchanted and all of the local educational outreach. Hera is friendly and good-natured. She was our most popular animal ambassador.”

Calling Hera “priceless,” Thomas Hecker, CEO of the Wonder Gardens, said, "She's an animal ambassador. She's very friendly, there's no way she would bite you."

Hecker said some of the snakes were moved as the reptile area was being fumigated.

"We'd been closed for a few months, weren't supposed to open until September,” Hecker told the News-Press. The stolen animals were valued at $1,500 and were all rescues.

A police report was filed and investigation was underway. Investigators were checking the CCTV footage to identify the suspect or suspects.

Meanwhile, anyone with any information on the missing animals was asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff Department at 239-477-1000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).

The facility’s website stated that they were seeking donations to look after the animals amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Everglades Wonder Gardens are temporarily closed to the public. The health and safety of our community is our top priority so we are doing our part to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Our team of dedicated staff continue to care for the animals and plants that depend on us each and every day. Your continued support is more critical now than ever before and will provide a vital lifeline to the wildlife in our care,” the website stated. One can donate through its website.