Rockalina the rescue turtle

[Catherine]

Rockalina is an Eastern Box Turtle. She was taken from the wild as a baby and has lived almost 50 years in someone's kitchen. She mostly lived on the dry kitchen floor, eating cat food. Eastern Box Turtles are forest dwellers and they eat a variety of foods, none of them cat food. She was in such bad shape when brought to the wildlife sanctuary that they didn't expect her to live the night. She was too weak to even open her eyes. Now, eleven months later, a healthy diet and some sunshine have made all the difference. They thought she would lose a leg, but it recovered. It will always be deformed, but she can use it. The right care has made all the difference. Eastern Box Turtles are a social species so Rockalina now has a companion. She has been introduced to pebbles, a new hatchling Eastern Box Turtle. It is going very well. With the right care, Rockalina could live another 50 years.



https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/roc...-9.7018623

Rockalina was lucky she was rescued in  time. Some of her damage is permanent and she cannot return to the wild. She at least can live a happy life in a place that knows her needs and provides for them. 
Baby turtles are so cute. I know it is tempting to take one home. However, few people can actually provide what the turtle needs to be healthy.
I don't think the people who took Rockalina had plans to look after her properly for almost 100 years. They meant well, but she would dead by now without the proper care from the wildlife sanctuary.
Remember, leave wildlife in the wild. It is not lost and it knows how to look after itself. If wildlife is injured, contact a local wildlife sanctuary. They can care for the animal and release it if possible. Especially, don't pick up baby turtles. Their care is more complex than you realize. Leave wildlife wild.