Tortoise with a new set of wheels goes for a spin in Bristol
LONDON — Touche the tortoise has been test driving his new wheels, and he can hit some serious speed.
The creature, who sadly had a leg removed after an accident in Bristol last week, has had part of a toy car fitted to the underside of his shell to help him get around.
He underwent the procedure on Friday at Highcroft Veterinary Hospital in Whitchurch, Bristol, and his owner, Lisa Purnell, says he’s “completely relaxed with his new mode of transport, zooming around the garden as if nothing has happened.”
Vet Sonya Miles explained the thinking behind the operation, which saw the car part attached with a special resin. “We decided to attach the wheel to avoid him traumatising the underside of his shell by dragging his back end,” she said.
“It can be taken off in the future if we feel that he has enough strength to hold himself up, but he could be fine with a wheel for the rest of his life. He may even need a bigger one fitted at some point; tortoises carry on growing until they are 10 to 15 years old so he could still double in size.”
Touche used to be a lot slower.
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