The chairman of a Nelson wildlife centre has made a passionate plea to those who stole its two water dragons Scauldron and Marge.
A water dragon named Lisa is beside herself after her two fellow water dragon friends were stolen over the long weekend from Natureland Wildlife Trust in Nelson.
Natureland Wildlife Trust chair Glenn Turner told AM he and his staff are "devastated" after their two water dragons were stolen.
"Our concern for them is they require heat and specific special diet and stuff like that."
Turner said Scauldron and Marge wouldn't have been easy to catch and he believes the theft or thieves may have a good understanding of water dragons.
"What people can do please is if anyone notices anyone that has a pet, particularly a reptile that they didn't have yesterday and didn't have last week we would really appreciate it if they could contact either us or the police."
Turner is concerned Marge and Scauldron may be sold on for good money or kept for breeding.
"You're just a bunch of scumbags man and if I got my hands on ya I know what I would wanna do," he said.
"Give them back, we want them back and if you drop them back we'd be really appreciative."
It follows four break-ins at the wildlife centre over the past three weeks. Turner said habitats have been damaged, fencing destroyed and now animals have been stolen.
"These are defenceless, harmless animals and you're also destroying a charitable trust, we're a small conservation programme."
Nelson police would like to hear about anyone who has recently come into possession of water dragons or knows the whereabouts of Scauldron and Marge.
Those with information are urged to contact police on 105 and reference file number 221024/4330. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Watch the full interview above.
