A Doddington woman is offering a £50 reward for anyone who successfully locates her missing “dinner plate sized” terrapin who has been missing from her home for five months.
Annie Kristiansen of Dykemoor Drove has been keeping the animals in her pond for around 15 years and says until now her terrapins have never gone missing for anymore than a few weeks.
A plea put out in this newspaper got the attention of a man from Manea who read the article whilst waiting for his fish and chips. He got in touch with Annie after he spotted a terrapin at the end of the Forty Foot Drain.
Annie said: “Anglers there had also seen her in the preceding few weeks. Extensive search by me on foot and in dinghy appears she had moved on.”
One man who also read the article phoned Annie to say he had a large terrapin right in front of him at Horseway. Annie rushed over to meet him but on arrival she realised it was not the right terrapin.
Annie added: “People do not necessarily have to capture her to claim the reward. The reward is for keeping my terrapin (the correct one) in sight long enough for me to get to you.
“It’s vital that you do not attempt to capture or restrain using hooks, line, traces etc - a terrapins beak will easily bite through a wire trace. Its fine to use a net to catch her but please do not put in a keep net as she will become entangled and drown.
“If you crouch down by the waters edge and splash the water about she will probably swim over to you, she may even hand feed - likes prawns and maggots. She will happily hoover up floating cat biscuits and is particularly fond of mealworms.
“She doesn’t bite and you might be able to just pick her up out of the water but please note that she must never be dropped on to a hard surface and has very powerful legs with long claws, ideally wrap in a towel or jacket.
“She can be kept out of water for ages in a sturdy box or kit bag as long as has air and is kept upright. Terrapins are surprisingly good climbers and superb escape artists.”
If you think you’ve spotted Annie’s pet terrapin, call 01354 677010.
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