Main Street Myrtle returns home after 8 months at Hope for Wildlife
After being in the care of Hope for Wildlife for 245 days, Main Street Myrtle is set to head home to mark World Turtle Day.
Her name originates from her history of crossing Main Street in Dartmouth. Some may recognize her from when she first became famous after backing up a nearby Tim Hortons drive-thru.
Back in September 2021, the beloved snapping turtle was run over by a vehicle while attempting to cross the intersection of Main Street and Forest Hills Parkway in Dartmouth.
As a result, she suffered fractures to her shell and healed at the facility.
However, Myrtle's strength through her injuries didn't end there.
Upon reviewing her X-ray, staff at Hope for Wildlife learned the turtle swallowed an entire fish hook and leader. Luckily, she was able to digest the hook herself a few months later.
Her time spent at the facility happened to fall into a turtle's hibernation season, but because Myrtle needed to heal from her injuries, she was placed in a warm and humid room to keep her awake.
On Monday, which was World Turtle Day, Myrtle and staff members made their way to her home, Topsail Lake.
"If she's happy with the spot, she'll go into the water," said Clarence Stevens of Nova Scotia Turtle Patrol.
Main Street Myrtle swam into the water shortly after being placed nearby.
"She has made a full recovery and today was her release day to coincide with World Turtle Day," said Amy Honey of Hope for Wildlife.
Officials say they added gravel close to the area to prevent her from travelling towards the road when it's time to lay any eggs -- a reason why she has a record exploring the roads.
World Turtle Day was created as an annual observance to celebrate and protect the species, along with their global disappearing habitats.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.