A slowpoke is still on the loose after escaping an animal hospital in the Mahoning Valley last week.

That straggler is none other than Tank the Tortoise, a Sulcata turtle, which has been missing since he escaped his enclosure on the property of the Mahoning Valley Animal Hospital sometime between Thursday night and Friday morning,

Megan McFarland, a certified veterinary technician at the animal hospital at 2967 Blakeslee Blvd. West, Andreas, said the Sulcata is the third-largest species of tortoise in the world and weighs about 50 pounds.

“So, if you see him in your backyard, you’re definitely going to know it’s him,” McFarland said. “He has a tannish to dark brownish shell, sort of like spiked a little bit, and has spikes on his legs.”

Unfortunately, Tank is a repeat offender, McFarland noted.

“This is the third time he’s gotten free,” she said. “I think he continuously rammed the gate until he got some of the chain links unlinked and he pushed his way through, the little stinker.”

McFarland said she believes she knows the reason why Tank decided to leave.

“Dr. Mike Nelson was getting ready to bring him in for the season, and I think Tank decided to high-tail it and get out of there,” she said. “The first time he got loose, he actually didn’t get very far; the second time he got loose, (someone) found him on Cold Spring Road, and he was gone for about two weeks before someone found him and they were kind enough to bring him back to us.”

This time, however, McFarland said things are a little more concerning.

“Now, since we’re getting (into) October, fall, we’re slightly more concerned (because the) Sulcata tortoises come from southern Africa, so they’re used to warmer climates,” she said. “It’s not a species that knows how to hibernate, (so there’s) more of a heightened concern just because we don’t want anything to happen to him.”

McFarland said there’s nothing to worry about if you come in contact with Tank.

“If anybody finds him, they don’t have to be concerned; he’s not vicious, he’s not aggressive, he’s not known to bite,” she said. “He’s very friendly, very used to people, very used to animals.”

McFarland said that Tank is “still just a baby,” - he’s somewhere between 5 to 7 years old, about 50 pounds “and still growing.”

“If you see a rather large boulder moving across your yard, that’s Tank,” she said. “Don’t be alarmed, keep him contained, call the clinic, and we’d be happy to find a way to bring him back home.”

McFarland said anyone who comes across Tank may reach out to the animal hospital on Facebook, or call 570-386-3088 during normal business hours.

Mahoning Valley Animal Hospital is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, 7-7 Tuesday, 7-noon Wednesday, 7-7 Thursday and 7-2 Friday.