PHOENIX -- A giant desert tortoise that wandered into a west Valley man's yard Saturday afternoon could be stolen and a search for the owner is under way.

Mike Cervantez said he found the creature ambling along on his property at 3405 N. 106th Ave. and notified authorities.

The desert tortoise, scientifically known as Gopherus agassizii, is usually active during summer monsoon season and is characterized by a high-dome, brown shell, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Finding one is rare since 95 percent of its life is spent in underground burrows.

Cervantez said he found the 40-pound tortoise as he was preparing for a get-together at his home. The turtles typically weigh about 15 pounds and are found in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of southeastern California and southern Nevada and south through Arizona into Mexico.

He said he thinks it may have wandered over because its habitat has been disturbed by nearby construction.

Cervantez said he's grown fond of the little guy and wants to make sure it ends up in a good home, even if it's not his.

A woman who got word of the discovery called authorities and told them she purchased a tortoise for her son's second birthday.

She said her tortoise was stolen out of her back yard.

"I'm afraid of poachers," Cervantez said. "If they can prove to me that this is their tortoise, then fine."

Cervantez said he's waiting for a picture from the couple that proves the tortoise is theirs.