UPDATE (8:40 P.M. August 21): Solomon, the 150 pound African Sulcata Tortoise missing for 74 days was found Thursday afternoon by  a man in Cheatham County. He has been returned to his family, who said he is safe and sound.

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – You might think a 150-pound tortoise wandering through the countryside wouldn’t be that difficult to find, but this tortoise, not to be confused with a turtle, named Solomon, is still evading detection.

If you remember, Solomon escaped his enclosure June 8 on Sinclair Lane in Cheatham County. Clarksville Now has been in contact with the African Sulcata tortoise’s owner, Lynn Cole, about the ongoing search.

Cole said they are still looking for Solomon and hoping for the best. “Sadly, there has not been a single positive sighting or lead, which is of course regrettable, but the search continues, and I’ve tried to expand the dimensions of the search,” said Cole.

She continues to network on social media in Cheatham and surrounding counties. Cole is also in contact with exotic pet groups, animal rescue groups and veterinarians, in hopes they may have heard something about Solomon.

Zoos are another possible contact for Cole, who said when people find exotic animals like Solomon they think of zoos as being an appropriate group to reach out to. A zoo may accept an animal, not knowing that it belongs to someone and they are trying to find it.

Cole said she has reached out to the Nashville Zoo and had heard that the Chattanooga Zoo may have recently received a tortoise and is following up on that possibility.

There was a little bit of excitement recently when someone in Hickman County found an African Sulcata tortoise while walking along a back road. From an online photo, Cole said it appears to be only about half the size of Solomon. Cole said the Hickman County Humane Society is caring for the tortoise until the owner can be found.

Solomon’s family is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to his safe return. With fall just a month away, concern is growing about his ability to survive cooler temperatures. Cole added anything around 45 degrees or lower is dangerous for him.

If anyone has information about Solomon, email lynnmcole2004@gmail.com or call 615-308-3234.