Century-old tortoise recovers after leg amputation

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A tortoise that is believed to be more than 100 years old is back on the move after undergoing surgery to amputate his leg, following an attack by a wild animal.

Trotter, a Hermann's tortoise, is the oldest registered patient at his vets in Hereford.

He is believed to have already been a fully-grown adult when he trotted into the family's home in 1938, and his owner, Gillian Young, believed he might have originally escaped from a delivery boat passing through Bristol docks before making his way into her aunt's garden.

Trotter had an "active outdoor life" before the attack, she said, which saw his seriously injured leg become infected.

"We knew surgery would be a big decision, especially for an older tortoise, and we could not be certain how he would adapt," said his vet, Dr Elliot Goodwin.

"His owners were determined to give him every chance and the care they provided at home made a huge difference to his recovery."

The elderly tortoise has now fully healed from his surgery and is back enjoying his garden.

"Trotter has been part of our family for generations, so the thought of losing him was devastating," said Young.

"We knew the recovery would not be easy, but we wanted to do everything we could for him.

"Seeing him back outside, enjoying the sunshine and moving around again, means everything."

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