PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — In what sounds like a cruel twist on an ancient fable, Maine Audubon is seeking the return of a stuffed hare and turtle that it uses for educational purposes.
The snowshoe hare and pond turtle, each preserved by a taxidermist and mounted in a Plexiglas box, as well as a red fox pelt, were stolen from an Audubon instructor’s locked vehicle last weekend while it was in a Portland parking garage.
Eric Topper, Audubon’s education director, said the items are part of the organization’s legacy.
They’re part of a state-licensed, 130-piece collection of wildlife specimens that are considered difficult to replace and critical to education programs offered by Audubon and teachers across Maine.
Topper says the theft has left “a big hole” in the collection.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less