Rare turtle native to New Guinea, northern Australia rescued in Wasaga Beach, Ont.

Rare turtle native to New Guinea, northern Australia rescued in Wasaga Beach, Ont.

A rare and exotic Fly River Turtle native to Papua New Guinea and northern Australia was discovered struggling in the Nottawasaga River in Wasaga Beach, Ont. over the weekend.

Miles away from home and clearly in distress, the turtle’s survival came down to the quick actions of a few locals on the beach.

It was around sunset when neighbours Rick and Heather spotted what looked like a sick turtle in the water. Unsure what to do, they texted their friend Leigh, who’s known for her love of nature.

When Leigh arrived, she immediately knew the turtle wasn’t indigenous. She kept sinking to the bottom of the water, making it hard to reach her.

Leigh’s nephew Logan, a grade eight student from Wasaga Beach, joined in to help retrieve the desperate reptile they graciously named “Dinosaur.”

It took nearly an hour before Dinosaur popped her head up long enough for Logan to grab her. Together the eager duo managed to pull her safely to shore.

Leigh contacted her friend, who has experience working with exotic animals. Jordan, who once helped Leigh with a rattlesnake rescue, arrived within minutes, eager to save the little guy.

“She’s a Fly River Turtle,” he confirmed. “An endangered and expensive species, probably 10 to 12 years old. They actually predate the dinosaurs,” Jordan said.

He took the turtle home to warm her up and stayed in touch with Leigh as he coordinated Dinosaur’s care. He reached out to Reptilia, who agreed to take her in for rehabilitation.

Reptilia staff believe the turtle had been living in the river for months.

“Judging by her state and the mussels clinging to her skin and shell, we believe she has been all alone for quite some time.” Stated Reptilia staff. “Unfortunately, this is looking to be another case where a reptile is unable to withstand Canadian temperatures, making her rescue not only heartwarming but also a crucial intervention for her survival.”

Leigh and her husband, Scott, think they may have seen her before this summer, noticing her snout pop up above the water. It is unclear how the turtle ended up in Wasaga Beach.

Now in the caring hands of staff at Reptilia Whitby, Dinosaur is beginning her journey to recovery.

“This story is a testament to the kindness and awareness of our local community—and a reminder of the importance of protecting exotic wildlife and our own natural ecosystems,” Reptilia concluded in a statement to CTV News.