A beloved pet tortoise named Leonardo has been reunited with his family after spending nine months on an unexpected solo adventure. The 13-year-old reptile vanished from his garden in Ulverston, Cumbria last July, shortly after his owner became distracted caring for a newborn. Despite fears he wouldn’t survive the winter, Leonardo was spotted recently by a dog walker nearly a mile from home—alive and mostly unscathed.
He was brought to a local pet shop, where staff recognized him from social media posts and quickly helped track down his family. Though he returned with a sore eye, Leonardo appeared otherwise healthy, likely having hibernated through the colder months. It’s not the first time the curious tortoise has wandered off, but this was by far his longest excursion. Now safely back under his heat lamp, Leonardo’s journey is a testament to the resilience—and wanderlust—of even the slowest explorers.