“No Tortoise Left Behind”

Dogs and cats aren’t the only animals being rescued from the flooding in Texas and we’re glad to hear it! This Sulcata tortoise may not be excited about being on a boat, but he sure is lucky he’s out of the water.

“This tortoise was rescued Wednesday on a tugboat by Aaron Jayjack during historic flooding in the city. He looks a bit discombobulated … albeit safely aboard and secure.” – (Via TMZ)

Aaron Jayjack, you will always hold a place of honor with the #turtpocalypse.

We hope all of our Texas shell friends, and all friends and family, are safe and sound. We are sending all the good energy your way. 

If you have anything to spare here are some ways to help Texas:

For All

Just to name a few… Please feel free to add to this list! 

“No Tortoise Left Behind”

Dogs and cats aren’t the only animals being rescued from the flooding in Texas and we’re glad to hear it! This Sulcata tortoise may not be excited about being on a boat, but he sure is lucky he’s out of the water.

“This tortoise was rescued Wednesday on a tugboat by Aaron Jayjack during historic flooding in the city. He looks a bit discombobulated … albeit safely aboard and secure.” – (Via TMZ)

Aaron Jayjack, you will always hold a place of honor with the #turtpocalypse.

We hope all of our Texas shell friends, and all friends and family, are safe and sound. We are sending all the good energy your way. 

If you have anything to spare here are some ways to help Texas:

For All

Just to name a few… Please feel free to add to this list! 

Friends! Have you seen the adorable pancake tortoises  @courtnashe  has shared with us? Well, she has created an incredibly well-researched care sheet for those looking to care for Pancake tortoises!

Pancake Tortoise Care Sheet  http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/pancake-care-sheet.159222/

Finding a quality care sheet based on well-researched information and experience is vital to raising a happy and healthy tort. Check this care sheet out and share it with anyone caring for or looking to care for pancake tortoises!

In related news: 

We are starting a master list of quality care sheets! There’s an incredible amount of bad information out there on how to care for turtles and torts and sadly that information seems to be what’s most accessible and most frequently put in the hands of first-time owners.  So, let’s band together and create a place where you can find quality care sheets on as many species of turtles and tortoises as possible!  

If you know of a quality, thorough, and well-researched care sheet for a particular species of turtle or tortoise send them along! We’re trying to verify the quality of information of everything we put on the list so all input is helpful. If you’re interested in helping out with this project, please message as well!

(Via Susannah Bryan & The Sun Sentinal ) 

Bet you’ve NEVER seen anything like this! Tortoise rehab uses unique tools- electro acupuncture – and its working!  

This 10-year-old gopher tortoise, a threatened species of tortoise, was severely injured after she was hit by a car. She was spotted by a volunteer, struggling on the side of the road with a cracked shell dragging her back legs behind her. She was brought in to the South Florida Wildlife Center in Ft. Lauderdale where vets were able to keep her alive but her back legs she had clear nerve damage that decreased her mobility and caused her pain.

The staff at the center did not give up hope, however, instead, they decided to employ an unusual technique –  electro-acupuncture. The treatment combines electric current and acupuncture to ease pain and increase mobility. It is used more frequently on dogs, cats, horses, and humans, not on tortoises.

“She’s a little fidgety at first, but a couple minutes into it, she relaxes,” said Dr. Carolina Medina, a veterinary acupuncturist. “Acupuncture releases natural hormones from your body that make you feel good and decrease pain, so most patients feel pretty relaxed.”

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Lucky for this gal, the treatment seems to be working. It will likely be 6 more months before she can be released back but the staff is confident it will happen. Returning her to her home, health and with strong back legs, will not only mean good things for her but allow her to borrow and lay eggs, a good thing for her entire species.

(via The Hocking Hills Animal Clinic Facebook Page)

Wildlife rehabbers and vets don’t generally get follow up reports and most will tell you they prefer it that way. That makes the discovery by a vet at The Hocking Hills Animal Clinic in Ohio that much more amazing.  

Years after treating a wild box turtle that had been hit by a car,  repairing its cracked shell with fiberglass and rehabbing it till It was strong enough for release, she encountered a familiar pattern in the leaves while on a hillside walk. 

Looking down she immediately knew it was her old patient! The injured box turtle was alive and well and had grown up quite a bit since their last meeting. She immediately shared the images on the clinics Facebook. Gotta love a happy ending for a dedicated vet and a tough shell friend. 😀

alexstateofmind:

July 28th, 2015

Today I learned so much about the rehabilitation of sea turtles and ways that I can help to keep them safe in their homes. It’s so sad to see them chased out of their natural homes & hurt by our carelessness. It was eye opening to see how even letting balloons fly off in the air can be detrimental to so many animals, especially sea turtles who mistake them for yummy jellyfish. I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet so many people who have dedicated their lives to making the oceans a lot safer for sea creatures and care enough to help the sea turtles return back home.

-Alex

The incredible work of the sea turtle rescue and rehab facilities world wide. Respect and support!