A beloved pet tortoise named Bonnie has gone missing from her home in Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire, prompting urgent appeals for help from her worried owner.
Bonnie, a 25-year-old leopard tortoise weighing 2 stone (13kg) and measuring around 16 inches (40cm) long, disappeared from her pen on Grove Road on Tuesday. Her owner, Liz Curnock, fears that Bonnie may have escaped through an unsecured gate.
“I just want her home,” said Liz, who describes herself as “very, very worried.”
“I just hope she’s being kept extremely warm and eating the correct foods. She has special requirements due to her breed.”
Specialist Care Needed
Unlike some other tortoise species, leopard tortoises do not hibernate and require constant access to heat lamps, UV lighting, and specialist food to remain healthy. Without these, Bonnie’s chances of survival are low, especially in current UK temperatures.
Lisa Dean, head animal welfare officer at Beauty’s Legacy (an animal welfare charity that helps reunite lost pets with their families), stressed the urgency of the situation:
“She would not survive long in these temperatures, but there’s a chance she hasn’t traveled too far. Leopard tortoises do move faster than the average tortoise, but they are still relatively slow.”
Community Asked to Help
Bonnie has been a cherished part of Liz’s life for many years, and her safe return is the family’s top priority. Liz is asking anyone in the area to check their gardens, sheds, and surrounding properties in case Bonnie has wandered nearby.
Residents are urged to report any possible sightings immediately to help bring Bonnie home safely.
Description of Missing Tortoise:
- Species: Leopard Tortoise
- Age: 25 years
- Weight: 13kg (2 stone)
- Length: 40cm (16 inches)
- Name: Bonnie