‘Part of my family’: doctor offers to shell out $6,000 reward for return of stolen turtles

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This article was published 09/08/2025 (231 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dr. Benjamin Wiesenthal is shell-shocked.

A thief or thieves took off with the 71-year-old’s two pet turtles from his Gimli-area cottage last month.

“I’ve had them with me for all these years and for want of a better word, they’re part of my family,” said the Winnipeg doctor, who’s had his two unnamed female box turtles since 1992 and 2000, respectively.

“I’ll joke around with people, ‘I’ve got to go to a PTA meeting,’ and they say, ‘What’s that for?’, and I say, ‘Parents of turtles association.’”

Wiesenthal is now offering a $6,000 reward — no questions asked — for the safe return of his beloved pets.

Wiesenthal thinks the reptiles were stolen when he went on a bike ride and left the property’s door unlocked for a few hours on the afternoon of July 19.

“I did not notice them missing in the room off the kitchen, where they’re in a terrarium — usually they hide,” said Wiesenthal. “I did not notice them missing until the following morning when I went to feed them.”

Wiesenthal concedes it could have been anyone who stole his pets, but he’s baffled as to why anyone would want his turtles.

Wiesenthal said he drove to Winnipeg to question an acquaintance who had been at his cottage the day of the theft, but she adamantly denied making off with them. He said the acquaintance was fond of his turtles.

“I drove back to Gimli and I thought, ‘This is bloody strange,’” said Wiesenthal.

“The place didn’t look like it had been turned over, with doors thrown open, like someone was trying to find valuables — it seemed to be somewhat targeted.”

Some cannabis, gift cards and a few coins were also pilfered, he said.

He reported the thefts on July 20 at the local RCMP detachment.

RCMP spokeswoman Michelle Lissel confirmed Saturday that Mounties took the report, but could not immediately provide further details.

“I met with them and I gave a whole statement and (an officer’s) comment was, ‘Who would want to steal turtles?’” said Wiesenthal.

He implored the turtles require special care, including specific temperatures and a varied diet, and aren’t likely to survive outdoors in Manitoba. Box turtles can live for more than 50 years.

“I just find reptiles in general interesting and I’ve always had animals — I had another box turtle, a big one… for about 33 years before he got sick,” said Wiesenthal.

He has put up posters in Gimli and Winnipeg Beach and made posts in social media community groups, looking for answers.

“I’m offering a huge reward — a lot more than these animals are worth — but these animals are important to me,” said Wiesenthal, estimating each turtle is worth between $500-700.

“I don’t care who took them, I’m not going after them, I just want them returned.”

Wiesenthal is asking anyone who knows the whereabouts of his turtles to contact him at bdwiesenthal1967@gmail.com.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca