KIHEI » An African spurred tortoise more than a foot long was found wandering on a Maui beach, thousands of miles from its natural habitat in the southern Sahara.

A fisherman discovered the 15-pound animal on Dec. 3. It was taken to a state Division of Forest and Wildlife facility in Kahului.

The turtles are often kept as pets. Hawaii has strict laws controlling nonnative species, but it's legal to keep an African spurred tortoise.

The Maui Invasive Species Committee is looking for the turtle's owner.

Committee spokeswoman Lissa Fox said the tortoise is between 5 and 10 years old. It's about 16 inches long and 8 inches wide.

The turtles live an average of 80 years and can grow to be 2 feet long.