Local Tortoise Returns from 9 Month ‘Hare’ Raising Exile in Gonic

Would you ever believe that a tortoise could survive on it's own for 9 1/2 months throughout our brutal Winter season? Bernie, a Russian Tortoise from Gonic, did just that!

According to this incredible Foster's story from Kyle Stucker, Bernie escaped from his backyard pen on Railroad Avenue in Gonic last July.

After a thorough search, he was presumed to be lost forever until April 29th (!) when a local man found him trying to cross Railroad Avenue, just a few houses away from his last known whereabouts.

He was a bit malnourished after almost 10 months away, but seems to be remarkably healthy in this recent video that shows him with his very unimpressed tortoise girlfriend 'Fern'.

I think it just goes to show that any creature that lives in Gonic is not only tougher than nails but capable of doing miraculous things!

GONIC FOR LIFE!