Pets
Donor Driven ”Spirit Fund” in SD Saves Severely Injured Tortoise
San Diego County's Donor-Driven Spirit Fund Saves this Severely Injured Tortoise After it Fell Off of a 10-foot Wall.in Fallbrook Sunday
(San Diego, Ca) - The best kind of humanity stepped in Sunday in Fallbrook to render aid to a helpless 70-lb African Tortoise after it fell off of a 10-foot wall and suffered severe injuries to its shell, according to the County.
Turtles suffering mortal wounds to their shells can be suffering in pain from internal wounds and immediate rescue is required, according to experts.
Those who rescued, delivered and then provided this tortoise with expert veterinary care were able to do so thanks to a life saving donor-driven Spirit Fund for animals at County Animal Services. https://www.sddac.com/content/sdc/das/donate-volunteer/donate-money.html
Find out what's happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We have a donor-driven Spirit fund that we can use for severe medical cases such as this one,” said County Animal Services Director Dan DeSousa.
“This tortoise will get the extensive, aggressive care and long-term observation that he needs to regain his health and hopefully live to a great, old age.”
According to the County, a good Samaritan found the injured animal in Fallbrook on Sunday. The Samaritan said a neighbor’s dog had chased the tortoise and it fell from a 10-foot wall. When the animal fell, he landed on his back and his shell broke in three places.
Find out what's happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The 70-pound tortoise was taken to a veterinary hospital and that’s when County Animal Services was called in. An animal control officer took the shattered tortoise to a veterinarian that specializes in reptiles for emergency care and observation.
The African spurred tortoise is a male between 35 to 40 years old. They typically live to be 70 years old. County Animal Services learned it would cost several thousands of dollars to put the tortoise back together again.
The veterinarian put the broken shell together again using screws, wire, epoxy and plastic wrap.
The photographs show the animal from the front with his head tucked in.
For all the latest news in San Diego, go to https://www.countynewscenter.com/countys-spirit-fund-to-treat-severely-injured-tortoise/