Click on each tortoise to see the latest updates on its whereabouts.
Tortoises are cold-blooded reptiles that tend to get more active in the warmer months of spring and summer. They can also be clever escape artists who can break free of their enclosures without a trace — once free they can burrow into the ground or hide in dark and sheltered shrubbery.
Sue Gear, from Born to be Wild in Bude, has been rescuing animals for a number of years.
“Tortoises have been around for over 55 million years. This sounds crazy but it’s true and pet tortoises can live up to 90 years of age. I have one now that is 75 years old and still going strong. This is why they are so precious.
“All the tortoises I have had are all rescues. Little Charlie came from an elderly couple in Bude and literally, they had taken him on and never realised he would outlive them. It was sad when they couldn’t cope anymore they asked me to take him on.
“Charlie was a character and did escape a few times. Once he went missing for over six weeks. Then one day I got a call from someone I knew and he said Sue can you help me, I know it’s not wildlife but I have just found a tortoise. To say I was excited was an understatement. I drove straight around there, I remember I didn’t even put shoes on to drive.
“When I got there I knew it was little Charlie straight away he had a blob of paint on his shell. I was so happy to have him back. I am just hoping this lady will find hers. These pets are in our lives a lot longer than our other domestic pets so a big part of the family.
“So please if you find one please, please take it to your local vets and see if we can reunite them.”
If anyone finds a lost tortoise, contact Sue at 07817127754 or Tamar Vets at 01288 354 796.