The Incredible Journey of Rockalina, the Turtle Rescued from a New Jersey Home after Half a Century
"Fifty-year captivity in a residential dwelling of New Jersey: Turtle given only cat food, now displays limp feet from dehydration, experiences sunlight for the first time"
It's a heart-warming tale that's been making heads turn on social media. Meet Rockalina, a wild eastern box turtle who stepped out into the sunshine for the first time in almost 50 years! This poor critter spent those years of her life caged up inside a New Jersey home, leading to several health issues.
Garden State Tortoise, a dedicated reptile rescue and rehabilitation center, stepped in to save Rockalina. They shared her inspiring story on YouTube, leaving people emotional.
Digging Deeper into Rockalina's History
Back in May 1977, a young lad found an adult box turtle in New York. A few months later, it was carted off to live with a family who kept her on their kitchen floor for nearly half a century. Living off a diet primarily consisting of cat food and a touch of lettuce, the turtle's health rapidly declined. Her once vibrant skin turned pale, claws became overgrown and curled in on themselves, her eyes deteriorated, she lost her tail, and her skin became matted with cat hair[1][2].
The Saga that Touched Our Hearts
People couldn't believe it when they found out this turtle had been confined indoors for longer than some of us have been alive. One user commented, "It's unbearably sad to think this turtle spent all those years away from nature." Another shared, "Seeing her come back to life is a source of happiness for us all."
A third user was overwhelmed by Rockalina's response to real food, "Look at her eyes! You can literally SEE the joy in those eyes as she eats the real food for the first time in 50 years! AMAZING!"
Few couldn't help but wonder: "How does a box turtle survive half a century indoors without sunlight?" Another commented, "The resilience of these creatures never ceases to amaze me."
Despite her initial health issues, Rockalina is now making remarkable improvements and learning how to burrow into the ground. But she won't be able to live with other turtles just yet.
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- The heartwarming story of Rockalina, the elderly eastern box turtle, is viral on social media, having spent nearly half a century in a New Jersey home.
- The health of Rockalina, the rescued turtle, suffered due to her indoor lifestyle, leading to several health issues, including pale skin, overgrown claws, deteriorated eyes, and cat hair-matted skin.
- Garden State Tortoise, a reptile rescue and rehabilitation center, is working tirelessly to help Rockalina recover, sharing her inspiring story on YouTube.
- Indians, known for their love for cricket, also show immense interest in stories about the rehabilitation of animals like Rockalina, as they reflect the resilience of living creatures.
- In a bid to improve Rockalina's health, she has been introduced to a new, healthier lifestyle, which includes real food rather than the processed cat food she was previously fed.
- As Rockalina progresses with her rehabilitation, people across the globe are reacting to the inspiring footage of her enjoying her new life, emphasizing the importance of pet care and the preservation of wildlife.
