Orinda Police officers tracked down a large tortoise wandering along Camino Pablo after the reptile slipped away from its home without its family noticing.

The department shared the story on its official Instagram account on Aug. 12, describing the incident as a "very slow-speed getaway." The department said officers searched the area and found the tortoise making its way along the road, which connects Highway 24 to Moraga through a residential and semi-rural corridor in central Orinda.

The tortoise was unharmed.

Police safely collected the animal and returned him to his family, closing out what the department called a successful apprehension. The post drew 57 likes on Instagram, where the department tagged the recovery #SlowSpeedChase and #Reunited.

Patch reported on the incident Wednesday, Aug. 12, citing OPD's own account of the response. The exact date the tortoise made its break remains unclear; the department said only that officers "recently responded."

Camino Pablo is one of Orinda's busiest through-roads, carrying traffic between the Highway 24 interchange and Moraga, where it becomes Moraga Way. The stretch sees steady vehicle traffic during commute hours.

The Orinda Police Department, led by Chief Anthony Rossi, is a contracted service through the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office. Its staff of 14 serves roughly 18,681 residents across 12.7 square miles. The department's non-emergency dispatch line is 925-646-2441.

What to do if you find a stray animal

Residents who encounter a wandering animal in Orinda or elsewhere in Contra Costa County can contact Contra Costa Animal Services at 925-608-8400. CCAS handles animal control for 18 of the county's 19 cities. Reports can also be filed online at contracosta.ca.gov/819.