A tortoise named Molly, an African spurred tortoise typically found in the Sahara desert, was discovered wandering slowly around Oak Hammock Marsh in Manitoba’s Interlake, far from its natural habitat. Gillian Malchuk, a nature interpreter at the marsh, and her colleagues were surprised to find the 36-kilogram creature in an unlikely location after receiving reports from the public about a tortoise sighting.
Initially, the staff assumed it might be a snapping turtle native to Manitoba, but a sighting on the iNaturalist app confirmed it was indeed an African spurred tortoise. The team quickly located Molly in the parking lot, where she was being fed cucumbers and flower petals. The staff took care of her and organized her return home after finding a missing tortoise post on social media, leading them to Molly’s family.
Molly’s family had owned her for 15 years since she was a baby, and they were reunited with her on July 22. It was discovered that Molly likely escaped through a gap in the backyard fence during renovations. Despite efforts to escape while in Malchuk’s care, Molly was eventually returned safely to her family.
The mystery remains as to how Molly managed to travel over 20 kilometers to reach the marsh. Staff members speculate that perhaps a well-intentioned individual relocated her to the wetland, unaware that tortoises do not belong in that environment. The possibility of Molly making the journey on her own is also considered, with her resilience and determination being highlighted by Malchuk.
