Pet turtle returns after two years

NORRKOPING, Sweden, May 2 (UPI) -- A Swedish family said their pet turtle has been found after he disappeared nearly two years ago.

Marie Swartz Alvetof said Ozzy, a box turtle born to family pets Ester and Gustaf in 2004, disappeared from the family's summer home in July 2006, The Local reported Friday.

The family searched all around the premises for the wayward turtle, but no sign of Ozzy could be found.

However, Swartz Alvetof, who said the family eventually had to sell the cottage, said a neighbor who lives near the cabin contacted them to say Ozzy had been found about 219 yards from where he escaped from his pen.

"We could tell right away that it was Ozzy. There was no doubt. It's sort of like he's one of our children -- he was easy to recognize," she said.

She said the turtle bore some scars from his two-year adventure.

"He was cold, and tired, and weak, and missing a few claws," Swartz Alvetof said. "We don't know if he had frost bite, or got into some scuffles with other animals."

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