Family shell-shocked by nine-stone tortoise

Source: Agencies | April 30, 2014, Wednesday |

Online Edition

A family who bought a 'common' tortoise from a D.I.Y shop were shocked to discover that it was actually a rare giant breed - which has grown to an incredible nine stone, Daily Mail reported yesterday.

The creature was bought fourteen years ago by a couple from Liverpool, who were told that it was an ordinary tortoise.

But the new owners were unaware that they had bought a special sulcata tortoise - which is the third largest species in the world - and has kept growing and growing, the reported said.

The animal, which currently weighs nine stone is still getting bigger and could end up weighing 200 pounds (14 stone), according to the report.

The tortoise which has been nicknamed Victor Meldrew - after the curmudgeonly TV character from BBC show 'One Foot in the Grave' - became too large for the family home and they could no longer cope.

The frantic couple were then forced to ring around zoos and rescue centers to try and find a suitable home for the giant reptile, the report said.

But no one came forward.

However, Andy Browne, a farmer, offered to step in to rescue Victor and brought him home to his reserve in Highworth, Wiltshire.

He collected the tortoise for free from the family in Liverpool and added it to his collection of unusual pets - which includes 400 other reptiles, according to the report.

Andy runs Swindon Reptile Rescue, an animal rescue center which he set up in 2001, but he also works a 17-hour day on his farm.

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Family shell-shocked by nine-stone tortoise

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