A Highland woman is offering £500 for the safe return of her daughter’s missing tortoise.
Wobbles did a runner from the back garden of its home in Nairn last Tuesday after escaping from the steel ring enclosure that is used to curbs its wanderings.
Homeowner Veronica Mackinnon, of 41 Sutors Avenue, fears that Wobbles may have escaped through a gap in the fence, but because he could not have got far, she is worried that someone has found the eight-year-old pet and taken it away.
Wobbles belongs to Mrs Mackinnon’s daughter, Calhounnah, 20, who was planning to take it with her again when she leaves for her second year at Robert Gordon University where she studies journalism.
The tortoise, which the family acquired seven years ago, usually stays indoors but Mrs Mackinnon often lets it into the garden when the sun is out.
When outside, Wobbles is kept in the makeshift metal enclosure but last Tuesday evening, Mrs Mackinnon had gone inside for 20 minutes before returning to find that it had disappeared.
Her husband, Hamish Mackinnon, asked around their neighbour’s but they said they had not seen the tortoise making its break for freedom.
She said: “I am trying to appeal to the better nature of the people who I believe may have taken the tortoise by putting out a large reward.
“I am prepared to pay £500 to get that tortoise back. It’s my daughter’s tortoise and she has been appealing for information on social media. These tortoises have got to be specially looked after so it’s important that we get it back. It is a beautiful tortoise and has very distinctive markings.”
Anyone with information can contact Mrs Mackinnon on 01667 456431.