A wayward tortoise that cracked its shell after falling off a 10-foot wall in San Diego is recovering after veterinarians used screws, zip ties and denture material to make repairs.

San Diego County Animal Services Director Dan DeSousa says the 90-pound male African spurred tortoise probably was a pet that got loose from a yard.

He says it was found Sunday after falling over the wall while escaping a dog.

DeSousa says the animal’s shell cracked into three pieces. Veterinarians repaired it Tuesday in a three-hour operation.


The $4,000 cost is covered by the county’s Spirit Fund. The tortoise will live with a rescue group.

DeSousa says it will take a year to heal, but the 35- to 40-year-old tortoise could have many more decades of life.