A tortoise has been found on a platform at Troon railway station, sparking concern that it was abandoned and could have been killed by a train.
The Scottish SPCA was contacted by a concerned member of the public who spotted the creature during stormy weather. The charity believes it was too far from housing to have made its own way there.
Now named Tig, the horsefield tortoise is recovering at the charity's Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre after he was recovered on September 19.
Animal rescue officer Alistair Hill said: "The weather was absolutely awful on the night poor Tig was found, so he was very cold and wet when I picked him up.
"It would have been fairly difficult for Tig to make his own way on to the platform so unfortunately we are looking at the possibility he has been abandoned there. It could also be that Tig was stolen and then left there so we are keeping an open mind at this stage.
"If he has been dumped, this was very irresponsible as well as a criminal offence. Tig could easily have fallen onto the tracks and been injured or killed.
"Thankfully, he was found by a kind lady who alerted us and he's now doing well in our care. Hopefully someone will recognise him and contact us so we can establish how he came to be in such a vulnerable position."
Information about Tig can be reported to the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.
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