Exotic animals turned over at amnesty day

PLANT CITY, Fla. (AP) -- Burmese pythons, turtles and albino skunk are among the animals that are settling in to their new homes following an non-native pet amnesty day at Busch Gardens this weekend.

Leigh Andrus, spokeswoman for Busch Entertainment Corporation, says about 100 animals were turned over at the event Saturday. Amnesty days allow pet owners to turn over exotic animals without drawing the ire of Florida wildlife officials.

Andrus says pet owners turned in several reptiles Saturday, including "a lot of Burmese pythons."

Busch Gardens spokesman Greg Smith said some of the relinquished pets were adopted by owners who had already registered with the state to collect the animals. He said the pets that weren't taken might end up in a zoo or similar facility.