Tortoises get beauty treatment

IT’S unlikely many beauty salons would have had a tortoise amble through its doors for a pedicure.

But Shepreth Wildlife Park has been providing them of late as the ponderous reptiles come out of their winter hibernation.

Keepers at the zoo noticed tortoises waking up from their winter rest early due to the warmer February mornings, and one of their first duties was to sort out their nails.

Animal manager Rebecca Willers said: “We usually start the wake-up period for tortoises in March, but activity in the group had been noticed much earlier this year.

“Elin Jansson, who is on work experience with us, was amused when she was told her duties included giving them manicures and pedicures.

“Elin was not afraid to rise to the challenge, set with nail file, clippers and even some red nail polish to re-number their shells.”

Managers at the park have thanked members of the public for visiting the park in recent months, as it struggled to cope with financial problems throughout winter.