CAMBRIDGE EVENING NEWS (UK) 18 April 05 Stolen tortoise found safe -150 miles away
Sunflower the tortoise who was snatched from a Cambridgeshire wildlife park has been found safe and well - in the seaside resort of Bournemouth.
The thief stuffed Sunflower, a Greek Spur-Thigh tortoise, under his coat before running for the car park.
But Keith Packer, a quick-thinking member of staff ran to the car park and noted down the registration of the thief's car.
The incident was reported to Cambridgeshire police and officers tracked the car to an address in Bournemouth - nearly 150 miles away.
After being contacted by Cambridgeshire officers, the 28-year-old man handed himself and the tortoise into Bournemouth police station. He was brought back to Parkside police station yesterday where he was cautioned.
Jake Willers, from the wildlife park, said: "We are delighted to have Sunflower back.
"We would like to take this opportunity to remind people that if they are offered an animal, don't buy it. Report it to the police. You never know what you might get."
Mr Willers added that all the park's tortoises were electronically tagged and they were in the process of putting up cameras around the park.
Sunflower has lived at the park since 1989.
Acting Sector Inspector Steve Poppett, said: "This is an example of how someone who witnesses something suspicious can help."
Stolen tortoise found safe -150 miles away