A missing “escape artist” turtle who went missing more than three years ago was reunited with his family Saturday after he was found just five miles from his Florida home.
The unusual outcome began when Putnam County deputies spotted an “unusual-looking turtle” crawling across the highway in Interlachen, a town 30 miles west of Gainesville.
Officers scooped up the 60-pound tortoise and with the help of professionals identified it as an African Sulcata, an endangered species native to the southern edge of the Sahara Desert and known as an “escape artist” who “can dig out of their cages.”
These rare turtles are very friendly, deputies quickly noticed.
“He’s definitely someone’s turtle because he loves people and head pats,” the department said in a Facebook post in hopes of contacting his owner.
“We also don’t know what gender the turtle is because we didn’t ask to find its skin. So if it’s yours, that might be a question.
Deputies warned that the large Chelonian would be turned over to Florida Wildlife Rescue if he was not claimed.
The unusual result began when Putnam County deputies spotted an “unusual looking turtle” crawling across the highway in Interlachen. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Endangered African Sulcata has been noted to be very friendly with deputies and “loves people and pats on the head.” Florida’s Wildest Animal Rescue
Fortunately, the post was shared hundreds of times and reached a friend of the turtle’s owner, who took note of the animal’s distinctive markings on its scaly skin.
The reptile went missing in April 2020 after escaping from an enclosure in her front yard in April 2020.
There were occasional sightings of large tortoises in the following weeks, but the pet always managed to escape.
When he finally recovered on Saturday, he was only five miles from his home.
A friend of the turtle’s owner recognized the distinctive markings on his skin and alerted his worried owner. Florida’s Wildest Animal Rescue After three years “on the run” the turtle was found just five miles from its home. Florida’s Biggest Wildlife Rescue.
“An absolutely unbelievable story, it just shows you to never give up!” Florida Wildlife Rescue said.
“He’s in a bit of a rough shape having spent so many winters here without heat, but he’ll be fine, and we recommend a trip to the vet. Happy ending! We’re so happy to help reunite him with his family!”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
