One of two rare tortoises smuggled in to Sussex has died, police said last night.
The second is unwell and is being cared for at London Zoo.
The tiny Egyptian tortoises, 10cm long and each worth £6,500, were seized earlier this month by PC Colin Clasby, Brighton and Hove police wildlife liaison officer, and Chief Inspector Carroll Lamport from the RSPCA.
A woman smuggled the tortoises from Egypt in her handbag but was caught when her son took them to school to show them off.
Police were called to the city school after a teacher spotted the endangered animals.
HM Customs were planning to repatriate the tortoises until they became ill.
The woman smuggler has since been given a warning by police.
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