UPDATE: Tucker the Turtle is finally home!

Kentucky native Tucker the turtle found himself in Minnesota, looking for a way home.  Greg Staffa knew all too well how it felt to be without a home and decided to help Tucker go back where he belongs. Tucker in the media - see some of the coverage Tucker's Treck home has received. Updates on Tucker Read how Tucker's story began Learn more about where Tucker is going

Tucker in the Media:
Tucker's story has received quite a bit of media attention. Click the links below to view a few of the stories about Tucker:

Star Tribune: When it comes to turtle stories, we're not Tuckered out yet
MPR: There's a little bit of Tucker in all of us
WCCO: Tucker the Turtle to Get Ride Home 
KARE 11: Turtle needs to hitch a ride home to Kentucky
Fox 9: Formerly Homeless Man Gives Turtle Ride Back to Kentucky 
Star Tribune: Man who was once homeless is giving Tucker a lift home
Pioneer Press: Happy ending for Kentucky turtle; Tucker finds ride home
 

Updates on Tucker:

October 10, 2010 update

Tucker the turtle is home safe and sound! Greg Staffa dropped Tucker off at the Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvington, Kentucky on Sunday, October 10. Tucker will be checked over by a veterinarian at Broadbent and then released back into the warm, wild habitat he needs to survive.

October 9, 2010 update

Tucker the turtle is on his way back home! Greg Staffa picked up Tucker on Saturday morning and they hit the road for the 750 mile ride to Kentucky. They are expected to arrive at the Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvington, Kentucky on Sunday, October 10.

October 6, 2010 update
It won’t be long now before Tucker is safe and sound in Kentucky. Due to the extraordinary community response, the Eastern Box Turtle has found his ticket home.

“We received dozens of calls from people willing to help. We are so thankful for the generosity of the community who so clearly care about animals,” said Laurie Brickley, Animal Humane Society vice president of marketing and communications.

Local man Greg Staffa has volunteered to drive Tucker home. They will leave Golden Valley on Saturday and arrive in Kentucky on Sunday.

If you are still interested in helping Tucker get home, we are accepting donations of gas cards to help offset the cost of transport for the volunteer. Please direct those donations to the AHS Wildlife Department.
 

Tucker’s Story
Tucker, an Eastern Box Turtle, was picked up in Kentucky by a truck driver who thought he was injured. His shell appeared to be cracked and he thought he needed medical attention, so he drove the turtle to Minnesota with him. A friend then brought the turtle to Animal Humane Society.

Animal Humane Society wildlife staff took Tucker in and noticed his shell was fractured, however it was a very old fracture that had long since healed. A wildlife veterinarian examined Tucker and confirmed there is nothing medically wrong with him.

The Eastern Box Turtle is not a native species to Minnesota. Tucker is a warm-habitat turtle and would not survive a Minnesota winter. It’s very important to place turtles as close as possible to where they were taken from to ensure the best chance of survival.

Animal Humane Society put out the call for a volunteer willing to drive Tucker to the Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvington, Kentucky. This wildlife rehabilitation center will check him over and release him where he belongs.

 

Where Tucker is headed:

Tucker is on his way back home to Kentucky to spend some time at the Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvington, Kentucky.  They will work with Tucker to get him back out into the world where he belongs.  Find out more about Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary.

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