Usain Bolt gets reptilian accolade

Aug 20 2012 By Joe McGuire

USAIN Bolt has received his strangest honour to date-with a tortoise being named after him.

The cold-blooded reptile has been christened after the hot-headed Jamaican by the Scottish SPCA thanks to his unusual turn of speed.

Bolt was rescued after a Yoker resident of Dormal Avenue spotted the horsefield tortoise zipping between parked cars.

Animal Rescue Officer Ashley Griffin said, “We’re so glad Bolt was found as he could easily have been injured or even killed if the cars had moved.

“He’s a really healthy and happy wee guy so it certainly seems he’s a much-loved pet who’s decided to go for a wander in the sunshine.”

It is believed that Bolt’s owners live nearby to where he was rescued, as Ashley explained: “We’ve rescued lots of stray tortoises this summer, which is probably because they tend to go in search of a mate when the weather heats up.

“They’re really good escape artists and much quicker than most people realise.

“Hopefully, Bolt’s owner will come forward and we’ll be able to return him home safe and sound.”

Meanwhile in the south of the city another escaped reptile gave one Govanhill resident a nasty shock.

The Scottish SPCA received a call from a Hollybrook Street resident who spotted a rat snake coiled around a lampost outsider her home.

The charity has affectionately dubbed the snake Lumiere, as Inspector Jennifer Connolly explains: “The woman who alerted us to Lumiere was pretty shaken up by her discovery.

“It’s not every day you find a snake outside your house so it’s understandable she got a fright.

“Someone else contained Lumiere inside a pillow case until I arrived because the lady wouldn’t go near him.

“Despite her shock, we’re very glad she called us so we could help Lumiere.

“Although it was really warm on Saturday, snakes need heat and once the temperature dropped in the evening he wouldn’t have survived for long.”

Both Bolt and Lumiere are now being cared for at the charity’s Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Cardonald.

Anyone who recognises either animal is being asked to call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.