CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (North Carolina) 01 May 06 Owner hopes wayfaring turtle finds way home - Community's search for tortoise continues (Steve Lyttle)
Tank the turtle is a runaway.
"Well, she walked away," says Deborah Todesco, Tank's owner of 20 years.
OK, she walked away. But Tank, a red ear slider, has been missing for almost a week, and Todesco's neighbors in the Westport community near Lake Norman in Lincoln County are widening the search.
They've posted fliers in the area and are keeping their eyes open for Todesco's pet.
"I wasn't going to move here if Tank hadn't been allowed across the border," says Todesco, who relocated to the Charlotte area from British Columbia last September.
Tank made her bid for freedom Tuesday evening. Todesco had left her rear door open so her ailing dog could go outside if need be. "I let Tank have the run of the house, and she just walked out the door when I wasn't paying attention," she says.
Neighbors helped her look for the turtle by flashlight for several hours Tuesday night, without luck.
A possible break in the case came Thursday, when an employee at East Lincoln Animal Hospital, which cares for Tank, said someone had called to report finding a turtle. But the employee didn't get the caller's name and number.
"The caller described the turtle as being very friendly and about the same size as Tank," Todesco says.
Tank is green, about 12 inches long and 3 pounds and has red stripes near her ears. Most turtles hide inside their shells, but not Tank, says Todesco. "She's unusually friendly with people," she says.
According to the Web site www.redearslider.com, the breed thrives in aquatic areas, such as nearby Lake Norman. But Todesco doesn't think her pet has bolted for freedom.
"I think someone has her," she says. "I just need to find that person."
If you think you've found Tank, you can reach Todesco at (704) 770-5829.
Owner hopes wayfaring turtle finds way home
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NC Press: Owner hopes for lost turtle
Replies (2)
Why do people let their sliders have run of the house? This not a healthy thing to do for the turtle or the humans that live in the house. Plus the fact that things like THIS can happen.
oh man! i live a matter of minutes from lake norman....and i work at a pet shop. a few weeks ago someone had mentioned they found a RES, nice as could be, but i hadnt heard this story. im gonna keep my ear out for it more now.
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-Mike Martin
North Carolina
