Franklin the tortoise is in the frig

[Catherine]

Franklin is a marginated tortoise from high altitude parts of the Mediterranean. He was found on the shores of a lake in the BC interior.
He didn't get there on his own so he must be an abandoned pet. Marginated tortoises cannot survive the conditions in BC. They also need a period of brumation every winter. Brumation is a reptile form of hibernation. Franklin is living at the BC Wildlife Park. Franklin spent the summer in an outdoor enclosure at the wildlife park. When winter approached it was decided that a frig could give him steady colder temperatures, without getting too cold. So Franklin went into the frig 15 weeks ago and he has been happily in brumation ever since. Franklin is due to leave the frig soon. He will warm up and stay inside until it is warm enough for his outdoor enclosure.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/meet-franklin-the-...-1.7173020

Good for the Wildlife Center that they can accommodate Franklin. He will do so much better after a period of brumation.

I can understand that people bought Franklin and then couldn't keep him. A tortoise is a lot of work. 
Why would they turn him loose? Obviously he couldn't survive in BC.
Also tortoises are hard to get. They could have rehomed him very easily. They could have sold him.
A quick search showed they are over $500.00 and there are none available.

I have never seen one.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marginated_tortoise

I am sure they will be able to find a permanent home for Franklin.  

They really are beautiful.