Taking the slow road Michael Schindel of Green Bay gets a closer view of 'Tootie' (photo by Tina Gohr). The NEW Zoo's Aldabra tortoises moved into their winter quarters over the weekend By Tina M. Gohr News-Chronicle Poor Al and Tootie. If it hadn't been for rambunctious lions, the two Aldabra tortoises would have warranted their parade-style spectators. The two giant tortoises were meticulously taking their annual walk to their winter quarters at the NEW Zoo on Saturday with as much fanfare as tortoises could attract. Only 10 minutes into the stroll, the tortoises were robbed of the spotlight when the lions emitted choruses of thunderous roar. About half of the two dozen spectators rushed to their den to see what was causing the commotion. Not to blame them, but after 10 minutes of turtle walk, well, the kids were ready to bolt. Except for one concerned toddler pondering out loud if turtles "pooped.'' The remaining dozen observed the 350- and 275-pound Indian Ocean island land-lovers lift their tree-trunk short legs in a high-stepping style like a spider (only in slow motion) to their new quarters 40 yards away. It took a half-hour. The tortoises decided not to take a straight line, but to venture to the grassy sideline surroundings. Employee James Smith attempted to keep their roadway narrow by moving along with a large board blocking their side-view vegetation. The tortoises' paved road was lined with crime scene yellow tape labeled "do not enter." The bystanders were warned to keep their distance and not to go in front of the traveling tortoises. If they sense an object in front, they will stop, retreat their heads and hiss. To coax the tortoises along, zoo employees lightly tapped their huge shells with key rings. The disturbing vibration stimulates their movement. "They try to get away from it,'' said zookeeper Sharon Hensen. By trip's end the remaining handful of spectators had but all vanished. The tortoises' trip ended at the children's zoo barn where the inside is kept at a balmy 82 degrees. "I believe they remember their winter quarters,'' added Hensen. "Watch," she explained, "They will hesitate.'' Sure enough, the giant tortoises stopped in their tracks - sort of. The pause allowed the tortoises to take an announced break.