An extremely friendly desert tortoise named Lucy is lost, after making a nine-day journey that took her within 100 feet of her Westminster home last Thursday only to be picked up by a man who thought he was helping the family pet.
Lucy’s owner, Robin Rockley, said the 30-pound Sulcata Tortoise escaped from the backyard of his Westminster home on Oct. 5 and was seen four days later near Brighton crossing Colorado 7.
A good samaritan rescued her and lifted her across the highway so she wouldn’t be hit by a car.
Then, said Rockley, Lucy — who is extremely friendly, follows people, and answers to her name — followed her scent back to her Westminster home near 144th Avenue and Huron Street.
The 7-year-old reptile, who usually suns herself during the day and then knocks on the back door when the sun sets so she can sleep inside the house, actually got to the home last Thursday, said Rockley.
Because no one was home, Rockley said that Lucy saw some movers at the house next door and started following them, much like a family dog, perhaps hoping they could help her into the home.
Rockley said one of the movers picked up the tortoise and took her to his home but the mover’s wife didn’t want to keep Lucy.
On Saturday, Rockley was able to contact the mover who said he had taken Lucy to a pond located near East Emma Street and South Burlington Avenue in Lafayette.
Rockley, his family and the mover went to the area of the pond and looked for Lucy until 10 p.m.
Rockley said the situation is critical because Lucy cannot survive prolonged cold weather. She does not burrow into the ground or hibernate, said Rockley.
Rockley stressed that his pet tortoise is a desert animal and unlike turtles does not like water.
He said that because she no longer has a scent to follow, she will still likely be within a 1-mile radius of her drop off point in the field at Emma and Burlington.
Since she is a tortoise, she will be in a dry area where there is fresh grass and vegetation.
He said that if she is able to reach a house or building, she will — much like a family dog or cat — ask to come in. If it is sunny, she will most likely be sunning herself or walking around.
Rockley said that this is the first time in the several years that he has had Lucy that she has escaped. He said the tortoise is very strong and literally broke through the fence, probably to go exploring, not to run away.
He said that Lucy loves to be picked up and petted and is a beloved family pet.
“She is part of our family and we miss her,” he said.
Rockley is offering a $100 reward for the safe return of Lucy.
Anyone with information is asked to call 303-827-8057.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
