Georgia police rescue runaway tortoise near school

Originally Published: 11 MAR 26 16:54 ET

Click here for updates on this story HINESVILLE, Georgia (WUPA) -- Officers with the Hinesville Police Department responded Sunday after residents reported spotting the large reptile roaming near the Bradwell area, just outside Fort Stewart. According to police, the tortoise had slipped out of its enclosure during the warm weather and managed to travel a surprising distance before being spotted by neighbors who called 911. Officers arriving at the scene quickly realized the rescue would require more than just guiding the animal back home. "With a little teamwork and a lot of muscle, officers were able to lift the very large, very determined, and very heavy tortoise and return him safely to his enclosure," police said in a statement. Police joked that the reptile, described by officers as a "dinosaur," gave them an unexpected workout during the rescue. After safely returning the tortoise, officers secured the gate of the enclosure to prevent the "shelled escape artist" from making another getaway. No one was injured during the unusual rescue, and the tortoise is now back home.

Other reading: Former restaurant owner who paid it forward during pandemic sees kindness returned in fight with cancer

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform. The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Related topics