Giant Tortoise on the Loose in Central New York

Missing Dog? Sure. Missing Cat? Absolutely. Missing... Tortoise?

"Can you help find my missing sulcata tortoise?" That's not a question you hear every day.

It's not a question the owners have had to ask before, either. But the Great Bowie Hunt is on in Central New York.

Meet Bowie

Bowie is a very large sulcata tortoise and, believe it or not, he's a beloved family pet.

Staci Novak says he slipped away from his home on Sunday, June 28, after someone accidentally left the gate to their fenced-in yard open.

He wandered off from the Flint Avenue Extension and Paradise Road area in Little Falls and has since been spotted a few times, including along Route 5S near Paradise Road.

Staci says one person even stopped to help him cross the road before realizing Bowie wasn't just a wild tortoise out for a stroll.

Others have snapped pictures, but many people are hesitant to get close because, well... he's huge.

The good news? Staci says Bowie is very friendly.

Staci Novak

Don't Let the Tortoise Fool You

If you happen to spot Bowie, don't assume he'll still be there five minutes later.

Staci says one of the biggest misconceptions about sulcata tortoises is that they're slow.

Sure, they aren't setting any speed records, but they cover a surprising amount of ground in a day.

Get our free mobile app

So much for the old "tortoise and hare" theory.

If you see Bowie and it's safe to do so, the family asks that you try to contain him until they arrive. Every sighting helps, and they're hoping someone will be in the right place at the right time.

Let's Get Bowie Home

This isn't just a missing pet. Bowie is part of the Novak family, and they're doing everything they can to bring him home safely.

If you're in the Little Falls area, especially around Flint Avenue Extension, Paradise Road, or Route 5S, keep your eyes open. You never know when you might spot a very large tortoise making its way through the neighborhood.

And if you do... you'll definitely have one of the more interesting stories to tell this summer.

Let's help get Bowie back where he belongs.