OSHKOSH

Tortoise missing from Oshkosh's Menominee Park Zoo mysteriously returns

Oshkosh Northwestern

Staff at Oshkosh's Menominee Park Zoo discovered Wednesday that a Russian tortoise had gone missing. The above photo is "not the actual tortoise but should appear similar," according to the Oshkosh Police Department.

OSHKOSH - A Russian tortoise that went missing a month ago from the Menominee Park Zoo has mysteriously returned.

Zoo staff found the animal, aptly named Anastasia, Aug. 8 in her exercise pen, city officials announced Thursday. At first, the reptile was cold and would not eat but she is doing fine a week later.

Oshkosh police still have no new details about the July 19 incident but are continuing to seek information from the public, Lt. Andrew Lecker said Wednesday.

According to a Facebook post from last August, the zoo has two 10-year-old Russian tortoises, Vlad and Anastasia. The missing creature, which is about 10 inches long, is not dangerous, according to police.

Russian tortoises are native to the Middle East and prefer dry climates. In fact, the creature cannot swim and might drown if submerged in water, according to police.

— Nate Beck contributed to this report.