After 74 long days searching for their missing 150-pound tortoise named Solomon, his family received the phone call they had been hoping for: A sharp-eyed passerby was certain he had spotted the 15-year-old African Sulcata grazing in a valley off Cheatham Dam Road on Aug. 20.
As it turned out, the tipster was right, and Lynn Cole and her family found Solomon less than half a mile from their house. He was tired, hungry, and thirsty. Cole said they presented the man with a cash reward of $1,000 as “an expression of our most sincere gratitude.”
While Solomon enjoyed a homecoming meal of collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, bananas, and watermelon rinds, Cole said they checked him and found some significant scrapes and rubs to his shell. They will have their friend examined next week for any parasites and arrangements are being made for him to be fitted with a GPS tracking device, she said.
“I guess we will never know the full details of Solomon’s great adventure and how he managed to elude us so long. Solomon is now safely at home, and as such, so much joy has been returned to our family,” Cole said.
