A heartwarming discovery brought relief to an Altadena family who lost their home in the recent Eaton Fire when their beloved 100-pound pet tortoise, Rocki, was found alive and well.
The tortoise was discovered Thursday afternoon near Mar Vista Avenue, having survived the blaze by taking shelter in her burrow. The underground refuge, measuring approximately 3 feet deep and 6 to 8 inches long, provided a safe haven during the fire's devastation.
The family had made several attempts to search for their cherished pet but were prevented from accessing their property due to dangerous gas leaks in the area. Their worry turned to joy when authorities located Rocki and orchestrated her rescue.
A San Dimas Sheriff's deputy was captured on video carefully carrying the resilient reptile to safety, a moment later shared by the Sheriff's Station on their Instagram account.
The successful rescue of Rocki offers a glimmer of hope for the family as they cope with the loss of their home. Her survival demonstrates the remarkable instincts that helped her weather the dangerous conditions while waiting to be reunited with her family.