A tortoise weighing a solid 60 pounds decided to embark on an epic journey of freedom in 2020.
Fast forward 3 and a half years later, and our intrepid explorer is found, trying to cross State Road 20 in Interlachen, Florida.
She was taking it slow and steady.
The heroes of our story, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, swooped in on October 21st.
And guess what? They knew right away that this wasn’t just any tortoise.
This one had a penchant for human company and, believe it or not, enjoyed a good head pat. Who could resist such charm?
The decision was made to hand over our friendly fugitive to Florida’s Wildest Animal Refuge.
And here’s where the plot thickens: this desert-loving tortoise had managed to survive not one, but multiple North Florida winters.
For those scratching their heads, Interlachen is a cool 60 miles southwest of Jacksonville.
The refuge couldn’t contain their excitement, sharing on Facebook, “A truly unbelievable story. It just goes to show you to never give up hope!”
What’s truly astounding is how far the tortoise made it… er, or, didn’t make it.
The wayward reptile was found a mere 5 miles from where its great escape began.
So, where was our shelled wanderer headed?
From its home in Hawthorne, it seemed to be on a mission towards the east. Perhaps dreaming of its ancestral homeland of Africa?
At a pace of 1.6 miles a year, it was certainly taking the scenic route.
A heartwarming reunion with its family took place a few days after its capture.
The details remain a mystery, but we can only imagine the joyous shell-ebration!
A trip down memory lane reveals that the owner had shared the tortoise’s escape on social media back in 2020, mentioning how it had been with the family since its hatching days.
The post read, “We haven’t given up looking.”
And indeed, they hadn’t.
A little fun fact for the curious?
African tortoises hail from “the southern edge of the Sahara desert in Africa.”
These magnificent creatures can live up to 150 years and weigh a whopping 230 pounds on a diet of nothing but weeds, grasses, and flowers.
And guess what? Florida is a buffet for these gentle giants.
The power of social media shined through once again. Florida’s Wildest Animal Rescue credits the online community for reuniting the tortoise with its family.
The sheriff’s office’s post went viral, leading to someone who remembered the owner’s 2020 plea.
And if the family hadn’t been found? The refuge was ready to offer a forever home to our adventurous friend.
Fascinated by these lovable giants? You’ll love learning about Tiptoe the Tortoise in the video below!
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