Endangered Hermann tortoise
London:
A heartbroken owner of a rare tortoise in Britain has made an emotional appeal to the thieves to return his 93-year-old pet as he fears "he won't survive without me."
Rex Coxeter spent 63 years of his life caring for Timmy, the tortoise. The 74-year-old owner has now offered a cash reward for his darling pet's return, the Daily Express reported.
He was given the endangered Hermann's tortoise at the age of 11 when the pet was already 30.
Today, a grandfather of seven, Mr Coxeter said: "It is a nightmare to lose him after all these years. My grandchildren are more upset than anyone else. They've grown up with him all their lives."
The grandpa fears the thieves will not know how to care for Timmy.
"I know what he likes. He is an old man... I know his funny ways." Timmy, who weighs 10lb, lives on grass, water and dandelions, a plant with long, lance-shaped leaves, and is identified by a unique pattern on his underside.
Timmy, who could be worth thousands, was found missing when Rex and wife Jane returned home to Dunmow, Essex, after a weekend away May 2.
Rex Coxeter spent 63 years of his life caring for Timmy, the tortoise. The 74-year-old owner has now offered a cash reward for his darling pet's return, the Daily Express reported.
He was given the endangered Hermann's tortoise at the age of 11 when the pet was already 30.
Today, a grandfather of seven, Mr Coxeter said: "It is a nightmare to lose him after all these years. My grandchildren are more upset than anyone else. They've grown up with him all their lives."
The grandpa fears the thieves will not know how to care for Timmy.
"I know what he likes. He is an old man... I know his funny ways." Timmy, who weighs 10lb, lives on grass, water and dandelions, a plant with long, lance-shaped leaves, and is identified by a unique pattern on his underside.
Timmy, who could be worth thousands, was found missing when Rex and wife Jane returned home to Dunmow, Essex, after a weekend away May 2.
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