Covid: Fears lockdown will hinder tortoise's hibernation

A tortoise sanctuary has said it has received hundreds of phone calls from owners concerned local lockdowns will affect their pets' hibernation.

Each winter about 200 tortoises hibernate at The International Tortoise Association's temperature-controlled facility in Sully, Vale of Glamorgan.

But the charity said about a third of its 500 members live in areas facing restrictions, so were unable to travel.

"These are animals that are in danger," a volunteer said.