BROOKHAVEN – A very large missing pet is back where he belongs after Central Mississippi Turtle Rescue helped reunite a more than 100-pound tortoise with his family.
100-pound tortoise found in Brookhaven; rescue group searching for owner
The tortoise, whose name is Dozer, was found in Brookhaven earlier this week. The rescue initially asked the public for help locating his owner rather than placing him up for adoption.
That search ended with a happy reunion Thursday night.
Central Mississippi Turtle Rescue said the moment was especially meaningful because happy endings can be difficult to come by in rescue work.
Dozer’s reunion was also the organization’s second successful sulcata tortoise reunion of the week. A tortoise found in Oxford was also reunited with his owner.
At just 19 years old, Dozer may still have some growing left to do. Photos shared by the rescue show just how large he already is, with the tortoise nearly filling a full-size gorilla cart.
The rescue is also using the successful reunions to remind sulcata owners about a database it maintains to help return lost tortoises to their families.
The privately maintained spreadsheet includes known sulcata owners and their general locations across Mississippi. Owners can contact Central Mississippi Turtle Rescue to have their information added.
For families still searching for a missing tortoise, the rescue offered a simple message: Don’t give up.
