Massive tortoise missing in Florida

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ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 24 (UPI) -- An Orange County, Fla., animal sanctuary is asking the public for help with locating a 60-pound female tortoise that went missing from the facility.

The sulcata tortoise, named Terp, got out of the In Harmony with Nature sanctuary Sept. 14, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported.

The tortoise was last seen on Sept. 17 when witnesses reported seeing a white work van stop and pick it up. Animal sanctuary director Kim Kapes said the man who picked up the 13-year-old tortoise may have just been trying to keep it from walking into traffic.

Kapes says the tortoise is very docile, but, as she ages, "that instinct to seek a mate may be kicking in."

The sanctuary is offering a reward for Terp's safe return. She is 18 to 24 inches long and "looks like a walking boulder," Kapes said.