Get Paid To Walk A Tortoise Around Central Park

CENTRAL PARK, NY — Looking for an awesome new job? Here's one you might not have considered, but should definitely be interested in — tortoise walker.

Harlem resident Amanda Green is looking for an outgoing animal lover to walk Henry — a 17-year-old African tortoise — in Central Park while Green is at work during the week, she told Patch. Green, a creative strategist by day, lives a few blocks away from the park, she said.

Green first got the idea to hire somebody to walk Henry about a year ago.

"He needs exercise, just like a dog. A bored tortoise can do very destructive things," Green told Patch. "When it’s beautiful outside, he’s very aware. Dogs have walkers, so why not tortoises?"

Henry has been walked by a woman named Amalia for about one year, but she's moving back to her hometown of Chicago to finish her degree, Green told Patch. Green hopes that Henry's next walker can train with Amalia and pick up where she left off.

"Henry loves going outside," Green told Patch. "He would be very unhappy if his walk to the park ended."

Whoever's hired to walk Henry should get along with both animals and people, Green said. In addition to amassing a social media following, Henry has established himself as somewhat of a local celebrity. Green said that when she's taking Henry outside, the tortoise often draws a lot of attention.

People of all ages come up to Henry, ask about him and want to pet his shell, Green told Patch. It's important that Henry's next walker can handle lots of social situations and doesn't act rude when people engage Henry, Green said.

The job also has some physical requirements. Henry weighs in at 20 pounds, so his next walker should be able to carry him around the park and up and down steps (Green's apartment is a walkup). Even though he's a tortoise, Henry can also get around quickly, so his next walker will have to be nimble enough to keep up with him while he's in the park. Henry does not wear a leash and will sometimes try to eat things he shouldn't, Green said, so his walker must remain vigilant.

Overall, Henry is a pretty laid-back guy and even quite wise, Green said.

"He’s the coolest guy," Green said. "I always say I aspire to be more like Henry."

Check out more photos of Henry on his Instagram page.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Green