U.S.

Wandering 250-pound tortoise found on side of California road, returned to owners

July 17, 2019 / 7:10 AM EDT / AP

Santa Ynez, Calif. -- A 250-pound tortoise that wandered away from its home has been rescued after California Highway Patrol officers found it on the side of a road.

And no, they didn't arrest it for speeding.

July 14, 2019 photo provided by California Highway Patrol shows 250-pound tortoise in patrol car; officers rescued after it wandered away from its home and was spotted on the shoulder of a road in Santa Ynez, Calif., about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The CHP says it got a call about the big reptile Sunday evening, located the owners, put the tortoise in the patrol car and delivered it to them about two hours later. (California Highway Patrol via AP) California Highway Patrol / AP

The highway patrol says it got a call about the big reptile Sunday evening. It was spotted on the shoulder of a road in Santa Ynez, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Santa Ynez Animal Rescue picked up the tortoise before CHP officers arrived.

The CHP located the owners, put the tortoise in the patrol car and delivered it to them about two hours later.

California