Larceny in Slow Motion?

A College in Dorchester has reportedly had four (3 female and 1 male) Giant tortoises stolen, 'in the dead of night', by thieves presumed to have operated with wheelbarrows (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/23/thieves-rob-four-giant-tortoises-from-dorchester-using-wheelbarrows). The animals were all 'chipped' (although these could be surgically removed) and one has to presume that they were either stolen for the illegal 'pet trade' or to be ransomed. Either way, it is a sad comment on current society and its values.