70-year-old turtle seeks greener pastures in Brooklyn

WASHINGTON – A 70-year-old turtle is on the loose in Brooklyn after escaping his longtime home.

Willie was purchased in the early 1940s, around the time his owner, Ed Schloeman, was born, reports Buzzfeed. Schloeman took the turtle in when his parents died 15 years ago, and created a “caged environment” for the creature in his backyard.

Then late last year, Willie escaped.

“He just got out somehow,” Schloeman told Buzzfeed.

Despite his loss, Schloeman says he isn’t too upset about the turtle’s disappearance.

“You can’t get close to a turtle,” he told Buzzfeed.

Follow @WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up