As dark gray smoke billowed into the sky, Tiptoe, the African sulcata tortoise, calmly grazed on the green lawn outside his home in Pacific Palisades, California. Flames licked the edges of the street, and cars sped past in a frantic rush to evacuate. In the midst of it all, Tiptoe’s owner, Caitlin Doran, knew it was time to flee.
The wildfire raging through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood had reached Tiptoe’s doorstep, forcing Doran and her extended family to leave in haste, taking the 175-pound reptile with them. Doran and her family wrapped Tiptoe in blankets to keep him comfortable during the chaotic evacuation, feeding him bell peppers to calm him as they rushed to safety.
For years, Tiptoe has been a beloved fixture in the Pacific Palisades community. The tortoise, known for his leisurely strolls along sidewalks, often accompanied Doran or her mother on their walks, sometimes stopping to nibble on roses—his favorite treat. Tiptoe has even made appearances at local festivals and preschools, and Doran had plans to bring him to retirement communities to continue spreading joy.
“People would grow vegetables for him, plant flowers, and when their grandkids visited, they’d come by to see him,” Doran shared in an interview with NPR.
Tiptoe has gained a significant following on social media, where his fans eagerly watch videos of him munching on grass and veggies, gazing thoughtfully out of car windows, and even sporting cute little hats.
Tiptoe’s journey with Doran began when he was a Christmas gift she received at just 7 years old. Back then, he was the size of a credit card. Over the years, Tiptoe grew to be a cherished part of Doran’s family, living in the backyard of their Pacific Palisades home. Unfortunately, that home—and the hutch Doran and her family had recently built for Tiptoe—were lost to the wildfire. Tiptoe is now residing at Doran’s new home in Marina del Rey.
“He’s doing really well,” Doran said. “Right now, he’s in the front yard, splayed out, soaking up the vitamin D.”
Evacuating Tiptoe was no small feat. As the largest mainland tortoise species in the world, his size posed a challenge, but with the help of her family, Doran managed to coax him out of his hutch using bell peppers and lift him into the back of an SUV.
Doran’s extended family wasn’t spared from the devastation either. Many relatives, including her parents, grandparents, and other family members, also lost their homes in the fire. They are now rallying together to navigate insurance claims and the rebuilding process. However, one silver lining for Tiptoe is the swift construction of a new hutch, built by Doran’s landlord and others in just two days.
Despite the loss, Doran is taking it all in stride and finds inspiration in Tiptoe’s calm resilience.
“He really is a big piece of the community, and I think he’s a good representation of what the next few years are going to look like—slow, steady, and with a happy attitude,” Doran said. “Tiptoe has everything he needs on his back, including his home. And for so many of us in the Palisades, that’s the same boat we’re in.”
Tiptoe’s story serves as a reminder of the enduring strength of community and the importance of finding peace even in the face of adversity.
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