Molly, an African spurred tortoise typically found in the Sahara desert, was discovered at Oak Hammock Marsh in Manitoba’s Interlake, far from her natural habitat. The 36-kilogram tortoise was rescued by Gillian Malchuk and her colleagues after receiving reports of tortoise sightings in the area. Initially, they thought it might be a snapping turtle, but a sighting on iNaturalist confirmed it was indeed an African spurred tortoise.
The staff at Oak Hammock were surprised by Molly’s presence, as they were expecting a smaller creature. After a visitor spotted Molly in the parking lot, the staff located her and provided her with cucumbers and flower petals. They later found Molly’s family through a social media post and reunited her with her owners.
It remains a mystery how Molly ended up at the marsh, approximately 20 kilometers away from her home. One theory suggests that a well-meaning individual may have relocated her to the wetland, unaware that tortoises do not belong in that environment. Despite the distance she traveled, Molly was safely returned home to her delighted family.