The car clipped the back of its shell and sent it flying through the air like a Frisbee. She quickly assessed the situation and discovered it was still very much alive and needed attention. She contacted me and I advised her to take it to a local vet that specializes in reptiles. The veterinarian was able to surgically repair some tissue damage around the back leg, and then epoxy the cracks in the shell. The strange white nodules are there to hold the cracks together. They will eventually fall of, and by the then the shell will be fully mended. After nearly a week spent at the Vet I was notified that she was healing nicely and could be released. I was hosting a group of kids at work and thought it would be nice to use releasing this turtle as an educational moment. I explained to the group of 68 kids the story of how the turtle was injured, and the care it received. We had a short discussion about the perils roadways represent for traveling turtles. I also invited my friend who initially found the turtle to join us and have the honors of putting her back in the wild.
We absolutely love happy endings like this, especially when we know not all injuries suffered by turtles at the hands of careless drivers end so well.
UPDATE:
About two weeks after her release she was spotted by Nature Center Staff heading towards the river which is about 100 yards from our building. I'd say this is definitely a success.
Hopefully she will live a long happy life and share her harrowing story with her turtle friends of being ran over, abducted by aliens, surgically probed, thrown behind bars, and then surrounded by strange creatures as she was again granted her freedom.....if turtles could do that sort of thing.
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