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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.