Missing tortoise Erick returns home to owner Victor Knight in Swaffham

A missing tortoise has been found safe and well just 100 metres from home after weeks on the trot.

Erick, a four-year-old tortoise, has had quite the adventure in Swaffham, according to his owner Victor Knight.

The house pet had disappeared from its outdoor run on the evening of Thursday, August 1 leaving his hutch-mate Kobe, another tortoise, behind.

“I don’t know how he got out of it,” Victor said.

“We went out one evening to bring him in and there was only one of them in there.”

Victor would search the churchyard behind where he lives twice a day to see if Erick would turn up but had no luck.

It wasn’t just Victor who noticed the tortoise-sized hole in his life, his seven-month-old dog Alfie was also feeling the effects.

“They normally sit down with each other and Erick lays on his feet,” he said.

“They sometimes even cuddle up in his bed.”

However, even though some time had passed, hope was not lost as Erick had been spotted in various locations during his disappearance including on Greenhoe Place on Wednesday, September 18, where a resident had moved him out of the road and onto the grass.

The next day he was found again just 100 metres from home by a man from S Watts Tree Services who was working nearby.

“When I got him back, I just thought to myself ‘I never thought I’d see you again’,” Victor added.

“So many people came to say how happy they were for me.”

It is said that in the wild, tortoises may eat slugs, insects, flowers, leaves and vegetables so it is unlikely that Erick went hungry, however upon his return, Victor made sure to give him a large salad.

“We’re all reunited now which is great.

“I want to thank people for so much kindness.

“There have been lots of people on Facebook who have been in touch, it’s really nice that they bother.”