A much-loved cafe's reptilian mascot has gone walkabout and his owners want him back.
Squirt the turtle disappeared from The Stables Bar and Cafe in Timaru last week.
Cafe and Squirt's owner Shirley Bradley says he's got quite a fan base.
"Every time somebody would come up to the cage ... he would either get out of his pond or else come right up to the pond and watch people."
"I was quite surprised actually how sad I felt about Squirt being gone."
He had been given to their family six years ago and had an "amazing personality".
Ms Bradley noticed he was gone when she went to feed him. She says he could have been taken at any time, despite her family living on the property.
"If somebody felt the need to take Squirt for whatever reason I would like to think that it was for a good reason and that they will look after him."
She says he is well known in the community and many people were missing him.
Ms Bradley says they wouldn't be looking for a replacement turtle as they just wanted Squirt back.
No questions would be asked if he was returned safely.
"He's part of the furniture," she says.
Newshub.
