Rescued World War I tortoise needs new home
August 11th, 2012 - 10:25 pm ICT by IANSLondon, Aug 11 (IANS) Wildlife experts are looking to rehome a tortoise rescued from a battlefield in 1915 in Turkey, The Sun reported Saturday.
A soldier tucked Blake, the tortoise, into his kitbag to save him from the shells and bombs at Gallipoli.
The rescued tortoise then survived a 2,000-mile sea trip from the World War I battleground to Britain to start a new life in the Tommy’s garden in Blakeney, Norfolk.
His soldier owner - thought to be called Marris - died more than 30 years ago, according to the newspaper.
Blake, a spur-thighed tortoise, was taken on by animal lover Marion Skinner in 1983 - but she can no longer care for him because she has a bad back.
Marion, 67, of Neatishead, Norfolk, said: “I want him to find a very special home because he’s so elderly.”
“He needs a bit of tender loving care and a quiet life now.”
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Tags: animal lover, battlefield, battleground, blakeney norfolk, bombs, home london, kitbag, marris, quiet life, sea trip, shells, skinner, soldier, spur thighed tortoise, sun, tender loving care, tortoise, turkey, wildlife experts, world war