Clearwater police capture African tortoise found wandering parking lot

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — Officers with the Clearwater Police Department engaged in a "low-speed pursuit" Thursday with a tortoise that was found wandering through a parking lot.

A woman reportedly called police after she came across the African spurred tortoise in the parking lot of an apartment complex on Greenlea Drive.

Once they arrived, officers said they found the animal trying to escape "at a very slow rate of speed."

Officers gave chase and were eventually able to corral the creature.

While detained, police tried to figure out how the animal got into the parking lot, but said they were unsure if it escaped from someone's home or was dumped there.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the African spurred tortoise is one of several non-native species that are sometimes found in the state.

Only one tortoise species, the gopher tortoise, is native to Florida.

The Florida Aquarium picked up the tortoise afterward and will be taking care of the animal until officials find a suitable home.

Until then, the tortoise's caretakers have affectionately given it the name "Shelby."