100-Year-Old Turtle Fallen into Canal Reunites with Owner After 3 Days

Went out through a broken fence and fell into a waterway
Guardian who saw the rescue notice visits Animal Protection Center

A 100-year-old turtle that escaped through a broken fence and fell into a canal safely returned to its family.

According to the BBC on the 7th (local time), an animal rescue team in Gonzales, Louisiana, USA, rescued an African spurred tortoise in distress on the New River Canal in Ascension Parish on the 30th of last month.

If the turtle's guardian did not appear after several days of announcement, re-adoption was planned to be pursued. Fortunately, the turtle's guardian who saw the announcement came to the animal protection center within three days.
[Photo by Kara's House Facebook]

The rescued turtle was taken to the local animal protection center, 'Kara's House,' and local authorities posted the rescue news on Facebook to find the turtle's owner.

If no guardian appeared after several days of the announcement, plans were in place to rehome the turtle. Fortunately, the turtle’s guardian saw the announcement and came to the animal protection center within three days.

According to Kara's House shelter, the rescued turtle's name is 'Biscuit,' a 100-year-old male. Biscuit had left home through a broken fence in the backyard a few days ago and reunited with his owner after three days.

The shelter posted on Facebook a scene where Mr. Ramoin Howard, the turtle's owner, reunites with Biscuit. The 30-second video shows Biscuit slowly approaching the owner's pickup truck as the owner opens the door.
[Photo by Kara's House Facebook]

The shelter shared on Facebook a video of Biscuit’s owner, Mr. Lamoin Howard, taking Biscuit home. The 30-second video shows Biscuit slowly approaching the owner’s pickup truck after the owner opens the door.

Mr. Howard added to the touching moment by saying, "Come on, Biscuit! He knows our truck," as he walked out with his pet tortoise Biscuit.

The African spurred tortoise, also known as the Sulcata tortoise, is a large tortoise species. It is listed as a threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. As of 2020, the wild population of African spurred tortoises was only about 400 individuals. Adults can weigh between 45 and 90 kg and measure 70 to 80 cm in length. They are famous for their longevity, with an average lifespan of 80 to 100 years.

In the United States, African spurred tortoises are popular as pets and are kept nationwide. Stories of escaped tortoises are occasionally reported; in 2016, a 100-year-old tortoise that had been cared for 55 years was rescued about 10 km away from its home in California.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.