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‘Free-range’ 24-pound tortoise found in central Edmonton

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24-pound tortoise found in central Edmonton
WATCH ABOVE: He's the tortoise that got away, at least for a few days. Kendra Slugoski has the story of a reptile found roaming the streets of Edmonton – Jul 26, 2018

Strays ending up at Edmonton’s Animal Care and Control Centre is par for the course, but the facility normally houses lost cats and dogs — and that makes the newest resident a bit of an anomaly.

“Did your 11 kg tortoise dart out the door last night when Uber Eats Canada arrived? Or maybe your 11 kg tortoise saw a hare under a tree and decided to get a head start?” read a post on the facility’s Facebook page Thursday morning.

“Perhaps your 11 kg tortoise thinks it is a cat and roams, but isn’t a nuisance to neighbours?”

A 11 kg tortoise is now staying at the Animal Care & Control Centre after being found lost somewhere in Edmonton, Alta. July 26, 2018. Credit: Animal Care & Control Centre/City of Edmonton

A few hours after posting on Facebook, Animal Care & Control Centre said someone called to claim the 24-pound tortoise — which does not have a microchip and was found by the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

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The owner said the 24-pound animal is named Torty and she is a “free-range” tortoise who lives in the back yard during the summer.

The possible owner said he is out of town, but should be back on the weekend to claim Torty. He was able to point out an identifiable feature on the tortoise, but ACCC said he will have to show more proof before they are reunited.

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The potential owner thought his pet was stolen, so he is excited to hear the reptile is safe.

Apparently, this is not a rare occurrence. Animal Care and Control said they also have a baby tortoise turned in about three weeks ago.

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Tanya Laughren, who is with the ACCC, said the person who found this tortoise did the right thing by calling the facility. Laughren said it’s illegal to keep and try to house a found pet.

She said if you find a stray animal, please call 311.

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