Dog finds stolen tortoise in park

A TOURIST attraction’s tortoise stolen three weeks ago has been found by a dog playing in a park.

Eight-year-old red-footed tortoise Huck was taken from his enclosure at Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World on Wednesday, February 21.

He was found on a patch of grass in a park in Muirhouse, Edinburgh. The dog’s owner rang animal rescue charity the Scottish SPCA.

Sarah Auldsmith, of the charity, said: “The caller noticed him as her dog was found rolling near him so she took him home before giving our animal helpline a call.

“I took him to our centre in Balerno and Diane, the centre manager, recognised him immediately.”

Centre manager Diane Aitchison said: “As soon as Sarah mentioned an abandoned tortoise I thought of poor Huck.

“Once we got him to the centre I identified him with pictures from the original appeal and then contacted Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World to get a formal identification.

“We’re so pleased to have helped Huck get home.”

Staff had been concerned for Huck’s welfare due to the specialist diet and equipment he required.

Lyndsey Paget, one of Huck’s keepers at the butterfly and insect centre, at Lasswade, Midlothian, said: “We’re so happy to have Huck back home with us at Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World.

“We really missed him, and so did our visitors.

“Everyone has been absolutely overjoyed to hear that he is safe and sound.”