Police are appealing for help after a wandering tortoise was found making a slow-motion dash across a busy Nottinghamshire road.
The shelled escapee was spotted on Colwick Loop Road in Gedling, near the junction with Magenta Way, shortly before 3pm on Tuesday, August 25.
PC Chris Brentnall had pulled over after spotting what looked like a broken-down vehicle. But when he stopped to investigate, he discovered the driver had come to a halt for a very different reason.
The motorist had spotted a tortoise in the middle of the road and stopped to rescue it before it could come to any harm.
The unlikely road user was taken to safety and later checked over by a local veterinary centre.
PC Brentnall said: “The tortoise appeared to be unharmed but was taken to a nearby veterinary centre to be checked over and scanned for a chip to help identify its owner.
“Unfortunately, the tortoise doesn’t have a chip and enquiries have so far failed to identify its owner.
“If anyone recognises the tortoise or can assist in locating its owner, please contact us on 101, quoting incident number 0473_25082026.”
Police are now hoping the mystery pet’s owner will come forward so the tortoise can be reunited with its home before its unexpected adventure turns into a much longer journey.
