An African spurred tortoise named Molly was discovered meandering slowly at Oak Hammock Marsh in Manitoba’s Interlake, far from its natural habitat in the Sahara desert. The 36-kilogram creature was rescued by Gillian Malchuk and her colleagues after receiving reports of unusual tortoise sightings. Initially assuming it was a native snapping turtle, the team was surprised to find Molly roaming the wetland.
The discovery was made possible through the iNaturalist app, where a sighting was logged, prompting the staff to locate Molly swiftly. She was found in the parking lot, munching on cucumbers and flower petals. Despite her unexpected presence, Molly was cared for by the Oak Hammock staff until her owners were located through social media.
Molly’s family, who had raised her for 15 years, was reunited with her on July 22. It was revealed that Molly had escaped through a gap in their backyard fence during renovations. Despite being a skilled escape artist, it remains a mystery how she managed to travel over 20 kilometers to the marsh. The prevailing theory is that a well-intentioned individual may have relocated her to the wetland, unaware of the danger it posed to Molly’s safety.
The Oak Hammock team marveled at Molly’s journey but acknowledged the risk she faced in the unfamiliar environment. Whether she ventured on her own or received assistance along the way, Molly’s expedition to the marsh remains a remarkable tale of a tortoise far from home.