An echidna has been stolen by two men from the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Piggie, the female echidna, was snatched from her enclosure about 10:00pm on Saturday.

Police said the men cut away netting to gain access to an enclosure containing a number of echidnas.

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Employees are concerned the thieves might not care for the animal properly.

The first man attempted to remove three different echidnas from nesting boxes without success.

The second man then entered the enclosure and removed Piggie from her nesting box.

Queensland Police have released images of two men caught on security cameras.

One wore a mask and had a distinctive diamond-shaped tattoo on his inner left arm, while the second man wore a hooded jumper.

Zoo officials are concerned for Piggie’s welfare as echidnas need specialised care and feeding.

Anyone who saw a vehicle parked near the sanctuary boundary on Millers Street on Saturday night from about 9:30pm, or who may have any information about the theft, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.