RUNAWAY TORTOISE LONGTIME PET AMBLES OFF FROM BURROW.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

STEVENSON RANCH - George Esses thought his female tortoise was just napping - estivating, like she's done in summer since he got her 25 years ago.

But in reality, the desert tortoise was on the lam, possibly looking for a place to lay her clutch of eggs somewhere on the vast hillsides of his neighborhood.

``My daughter is devastated,'' Esses said. ``It's so sad to see a grown woman with her own children cry, but she remembers growing up with the tortoise.''

Esses' two tortoises burrowed in May. Two weeks ago, Esses found the female's burrow empty and a small hole under the fence about a foot away, concealed by tall grasses and gazania leaves.

Her mate emerged from his burrow to bask in the sun, alone for the first time in 25 years.

Esses received his tortoise couple from a friend who could no longer take care of them.

``They're good as pets because they don't bark much,'' he said. ``And they're easy to maintain. I feel they also have a spiritual sense. In many different cultures, turtles and tortoises are depicted as symbols of good luck, health and well-being.''

When the family discovered the tortoise was gone, Esses made fliers and papered the neighborhood. He was determined to find the slow-moving pet and bring her home.

A neighbor several blocks away called Esses and said his wife found a tortoise in their yard and had called county Animal Control to pick it up. Esses went to the Castaic shelter, only to find out the tortoise had already been placed with a family.

Animal Control officials promised to contact the tortoise's new owner. Tuesday night, Esses talked with the woman who adopted the reptile, discovering that what she adopted was not a desert tortoise, but a turtle - and obviously not his pet.

The family is willing to pursue the missing tortoise as long as it takes to find her - tortoises move at a speed of 0.2 mph - scouring the hillsides and open areas near the Burns Court home.

In the meantime, Esses is hoping someone will come forward and tell them if they've seen or found the wayward tortoise. Anyone with information is encouraged to call him at [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) George Esses holds his remaining tortoise, a male, which was in its burrow when the female apparently wandered away.

(2 -- color) The tortoise's owner holds up a flier being used in his search for the missing tortoise, which has been a family pet for 25 years.

David Crane/Staff Photographer