Bryan Park briefly hosted an African spur-thigh tortoise

Bryan Park ain’t the African savanna.

July 1, 2014; 9:02 AM • by Richard Hayes

The tortoise which is about the size of a rugby ball was discovered in Bryan Park on Sunday. As you can probably determine by the name African spur-thigh tortoise it’s not a native species and either escaped or was dropped off by its owners. The tortoise in now in the hands of the Forever Wild animal-rehabilitation center after making a brief stop at the Lakeside pet shop Fin & Feather Pet Center.

RTD reached out to a tortoise expert as part of their full story.

“That animal would have either starved or froze to death this winter, if it was able to live that long and avoid being mauled by a stray dog or hit by a car,” said J.D. Kleopfer, a state reptile expert. “Bryan Park ain’t the African savanna.”

The African spur-thigh tortoise, named for spurs on its rear legs, can live more than 100 years. It can reach 3 feet in length and can weigh more than 150 pounds.

Image: RTD/Rex Springston