A chunky African spurred tortoise named Molly was discovered ambling slowly along the outskirts of a vast wetland in the Canadian prairie, sparking surprise and confusion among the staff at Oak Hammock Marsh in Manitoba’s Interlake. The nature interpreter, Gillian Malchuk, and her colleagues rescued Molly, who weighed 36 kilograms, after receiving unusual reports of tortoise sightings in the area.

Initially thinking it was a snapping turtle native to Manitoba, the team was astonished to find out it was an African spurred tortoise, a species not native to the region. A sighting logged on iNaturalist led them on a search that quickly ended with Molly’s discovery. Staff at Oak Hammock Marsh provided care for Molly, feeding her cucumbers and flower petals and giving her guided tours until her rightful owners were located.

After finding a social media post from Molly’s family, she was reunited with her “mother” on July 22. It was revealed that Molly had been a part of the family for 15 years, having been raised from a young age. The mysterious journey that led Molly to the marsh, 20 kilometers away from home, remains a puzzle. While theories suggest a well-meaning individual may have relocated her or that she traversed the distance on her own, the exact circumstances of Molly’s adventure remain unknown.