An echidna stolen from a wildlife sanctuary on Queensland’s Gold Coast at the weekend has been returned.

Police said the echidna was found safe and well at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary about 6pm (AEST).

Two men took Piggie, a four-year-old breeding female, from her enclosure during a break-in at sanctuary on Saturday night.

The theft was caught on camera and sparked a public appeal for information.

• Thieves steal echidna from wildlife sanctuary
• Golden Gaytime in tubs after social media campaign
• Video: Daredevil rides dirt bike over waves in Tahiti

One of the men cut away netting to gain access to an enclosure containing a number of echidnas.

The first man attempted to remove three different echidnas from nesting boxes without success.

The second man then entered the enclosure and removed Piggie from her nesting box.

Police said a 24-year-old man was assisting with the investigation.