Ok so after giving up on my conquest, and telling anybody who would listen of my struggles, family we have not seen for many many years, said they have one for me, that they have had for about 5 years. They had two but one escaped. I ask what type, they say a baby of one of those big ones
. They received the baby from a friend after a dog chewed on it. After fetching the tortoise, it turns out to be a kalahari tent tortoise( not the same as their escapee which most likely was a leopard, as the story was their grandchildren rode on the parents) anyway. So understandably I'm ecstatic to rehome the tiny tortoise. The tortoise is no longer on a lettuce and cabbage diet, but as natural one as possible. And looking very happy and healthy, in its much much bigger enclosure.
So I am content I finally have my own tortoise
.
Then yesterday about a month after getting "ou skillietjie" (my daughter named him). My dog finds a leopard tortoise in my garden
We have lived here for 20 years and although we fall within their natural range, with all the people around we have never seen one or even heard of someone seeing one. I suspect he is most likely a escapee. He is roughly about 25 to 30cm long.
So from struggling to get one to having 2 within a month.
Just thought I'd update the post. Don't know if I should apply for a permit for the leopard yet or just hang on for a while. I know I will never get a permit for the tent, but I'm ok with that.