For Immediate Release, August 25, 2014 August 25, 2014 Contact: Lisbeth Odén – 970-925-2621 The Tortoises Have Won ASPEN, Colo.— We have received word that the Aspen Art Museum has removed the tortoises from Aspen, CO and that they are on their way to a tortoise sanctuary in a warmer climate and freed from the burden of 2 iPads. The Aspen Art Museum insists the decision had to do with cold weather and not public pushback. These three African Sulcata Tortoises were “rescued” from a breeder where they were living in an over-crowded enclosure only to find themselves wandering around a ghost town and then on a rooftop in Aspen, CO with 2 iPads glued to each of their backs and exploited as “art”. Some rescue! Public outcry has been overwhelming and in just under 2 weeks, 12,000 – 18,000 signatures were attained on 2 separate petitions, including one on Change.org and one from The Center for Biological Diversity. The issue also caught major media attention around the world, prompting artists and powerful philanthropists to put tremendous pressure on Aspen Art Museum. But the AAM remained resolute in their opinion that they would not censor artists and that these tortoises were well taken care of by their staff and a local veterinarian. While we may never know exactly what made this exhibit end over 1 month early, the bottom line is that the Tortoises have won and they are now on their way to a Tortoise Sanctuary where they can live out the reminder of their lives in peace. Moving forward, it is our hope that people are now thinking and talking more about the ethical treatment of animals and that they are not podiums for art and human entertainment. Just because animals have been used like this in the past, does not make it right to continue doing so now. Furthermore, we hope that people realize that exotic pets, like tortoises do not make good pets and very few people are capable of giving theses animals the life and care they deserve. Exotic animal sanctuaries are overflowing with discarded “pets” and need our help. Though reptiles are popular pets, they are not as common as cats or dogs, so many of these rescues, like the Colorado Reptile Humane Society don't receive the donations they deserve for the hard work their staff puts into rescuing these animals. Collectively, we apologize to Big Bertha, Gracie Pink Star, and Whale Wanderer for the stupidity of some human beings but those of us who respect your lives, wish you a safe journey to your new home and many years of peaceful living. Many thanks to Mr. Andrew Sabin for all of his efforts in conjunction with Eric Goode from The Turtle Conservancy, Kieran Suckling from Center for Biological Diversity, International Fund for Animal Welfare - IFAW, The Humane Society of the United States - Colorado, and countless artists who rose up to say "no artist should abuse an animal for any reason, any more than they should abuse another human being, for the purpose of creating art." And most importantly, tremendous thanks goes out to Mother Nature for taking a stand on behalf of these precious animals and being the one power that the Art Museum was actually willing to listen to! ###