A Hermann’s tortoise that vanished from her garden in Leicestershire has been reunited with her owner after surviving an incredible month-long adventure across the English countryside.
Matilda the Escaped Tortoise
The adventurous reptile, named Matilda, disappeared in early July after escaping her raised garden bed. Owner Sallyanne Brooksbank said the 10-year-old tortoise managed to climb a zucchini (courgette) stalk to scale the 12-inch wooden bed before setting off on her slow but determined journey.
Despite her small size — “barely the size of a saucer,” according to Brooksbank — Matilda covered an impressive three miles at an estimated pace of 0.0041 mph, crossing roads, fences, fields, and even a stream.
How She Was Found
After a month with no sightings, Brooksbank had given up hope of ever finding Matilda. But last week, pedestrians spotted the tiny tortoise hidden in a field near the village of Sewstern. Concerned for her safety, they carried her to a local clothing shop.
Shop owner David Howley shared the unusual find on Facebook, which quickly led to Matilda’s reunion with her relieved family.
“She had a mark on her and they described it perfectly,” Brooksbank said. “They lived three miles away, so she had moved like a rocket!”
A Miracle Survival
Brooksbank called it a “miracle” that Matilda had survived the journey, dodging cars, ditches, and predators such as foxes and badgers.
“She seems fine — there are no marks on her shell, and she gobbled up food the moment she got home,” she said. “We searched the garden over and over, and I thought we’d never see her again. She must have had quite an adventure.”
A Much-Loved Family Pet
Matilda has been part of the family since 2013, when she was bought as a hatchling for Brooksbank’s son Rory.
“She was only the size of a coin when we first got her,” Brooksbank recalled. “Now she’s proved herself to be a very adventurous tortoise indeed. I’m nervous about leaving her out at night now.”
The family hopes to track down the good Samaritans who rescued Matilda to thank them personally.