A three-legged tortoise has been given licence to roam off-road after having a wheel and suspension system fitted to her shell. Up to now Tina, right, was confined to the less rugged parts of her enclosure at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire. She was given to Longleat in 2002 after her lack of manoeuvrability led to a decline in health. The spur thigh tortoise recovered after Simon England, a model maker, designed her a fixed plastic wheel.
Mr England has upgraded her undercarriage to include a 2in pneumatic tyre and sprung suspension with shock absorber which gives her a leg-up to higher ground. The large rubber wheel and adapted axle has been stuck on to Tina’s shell using an animal-friendly adhesive. Darren Beasley, Tina’s keeper, said: “Simon has provided us with a number of back-up wheels over the last couple of years but it soon became clear they weren’t up to the job. “She completely wore down the tread on them and, as she became more adventurous, the old wheel would sometimes become caught and the axle bent. “The new system is incredible and allows Tina to go all over the place. “She is one of the oldest tortoises we have here but you would never know it — she is now among our fastest.” Article courtesy of www.timesonline.co.uk October 2006 © 2006 Clifford George Partnership
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