A St. Augustine family is desperately searching for their missing 80-pound giant tortoise, who vanished from their property off Farm Creek Road near Silo Road on June 6.
The 8-year-old tortoise, described as having distinctive shell markings, is a cherished companion—especially to his tortoise “brother”—and the family is offering a “large reward” for his safe return.
Owner Marsha Montgomery told The Citizen that the lovable tortoise — named Voldetort — got out of his enclosure and hasn’t been seen since.
Despite extensive efforts—including drone searches with thermal imaging and tracking dogs—he remains missing.
Montgomery said she gathered a dozen friends and neighbors to fan out near her property the morning after he vanished, but to no avail.
Voldetort, she said, is attached to his home and won’t do well in unfamiliar environments.
With a diet of hay and special pellets, she said Voldetort would likely grow to three times its current size.
“I’m worried about how he is doing on his own,” she said. “He was the size of a silo cup when I got him. I just want it out there so people know that we care and that we’re doing everything we can to find him.”
The property where he disappeared is heavily wooded, and his owners fear he may have traveled far afield of his home.
There have been unconfirmed sightings of the tortoise on June 9 at the corner of Meadowlark Lane and Pacetti Road, and again on June 14 near Pacetti Road.
She wrote that there will be no questions asked upon his return home.
The family urges the public to keep an eye out, and to call (904) 868-1893 with any information.
If spotted, they advise staying nearby without approaching, as the tortoise tends to remain in place when people are near him.
“We’re hoping for the best,” Montgomery said.
