A tortoise is still missing in Richmond Park after walking into a hole in a dead tree on 22 March.

Kingston resident Jackie Child says Salvador, her family's pet tortoise of eight years, was out with her daughter in the nearby park when he wandered off.

Ms. Child told Nub News her daughter called her upset, saying: "He's so quick, he just got into the tree."

"We just really miss him," she added.

Appealing to her neighbours on social media, the stricken owner was delighted at the response from locals.

"I was really amazed by people's support [...] The way the community came back – complete strangers! People have just been so nice," she said.

Among the well-wishers was a tree surgeon who "offered to cut into the tree for free," and members from a local David Attenborough fan club.

Ms. Child says she visits where Salvador went missing with her daughter every day to leave him some of his favourite food (Photo: Jackie Child)

However, there are concerns that Salvador has since gotten free from the tree, relocating into a nearby hole and suspected badger sett.

Richmond Park Rangers deployed an endoscope on 29 March in hopes of finding the lost tortoise, but to no avail.

Despite this, Ms. Child says her and her daughter still visit the tree each day to leave his favourite food – dandelions – explaining: "If he was hungry, he would come into the kitchen and sit on my slipper."

Salvador walked into a hole in a dead tree near Bloomfield Hill car park in Richmond Park. Ms. Child says it is 200 yards from the front of the car park's coffee stand (Photos: Jackie Child)

Ms. Child shared how Salvador is no stranger to the great outdoors, having previously made an escape attempt while roaming around in a friend's garden, adding: "He's so mischievous."

He was returned to the family by a neighbour two weeks later.

She continued, joking: "I know you wanted a garden Salvador, but a park?"

While spreading Salvador's story, local radio station Radio Jackie asked listeners to suggest songs to pair with the report, settling on 'I'm gonna run away from you' and 'Speedy Gonzales'.

"Poignant," said Ms. Child.

While reminiscing about Salvador's place in her family, Ms. Child explained how the beloved tortoise was brought to her by a neighbour after he was spotted roaming alone.

"I had just lost my son at the time," she said: "[Salvador] was really like an angel sent to me [...] he was sent, a little earth angel."

Despite the slim odds of finding Salvador after over a month, the family has said they are still holding out hope for his safe return.

After receiving so many messages from concerned neighbours, Ms Child has shared a video reel of Salvador's time with the family.

When asked if she would like to share anything with the community, Ms. Child said: "Keep your eyes peeled. Just keep your eyes peeled."