Firefighters Use Special Oxygen Masks to Save Turtles Following Fire at Ohio Animal Exhibit
Medina Fire Department
Firefighters in Ohio were able to rescue a group of turtles from a shed fire with the help of special animal oxygen masks.
On Wednesday afternoon, a duty crew from Medina Fire Department responded to a report of a shed fire at Turtle World of Medina.
Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed it was a working fire and were informed by neighbors that the facility's owner had "multiple turtles" inside, a rep for the department wrote on Facebook.
The firefighters put the fire out and began removing approximately 10 turtles, including two large tortoises, from the shed.
To help rescue the turtles, crew members used oxygen masks that are "specially designed to be used on animals" and used them to "administer oxygen therapy" to the turtles.
Medina Fire Department
Medina Fire Department
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Unfortunately, half of the turtles did not survive the fire, firefighters said.
"The shed had been insulated and heated to house the turtles and it is believed that one of the heating elements started the fire," the post read.
Medina Fire Department
Turtle World of Medina gave an update about its turtles and the shed on Thursday.
"The interior of the barn is demolished with smoke and fire damage. We lost 7 tortoises that lived in the barn but 5 of the 6 aquatic turtles survived and are behaving like water turtles should," a rep for the exhibit wrote on Facebook.
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The post continued, "The remaining 50+ tortoises and turtles in hibernation or in my basement are fine and are looking forward to spring."
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According to the post, Terry, Turtle World's "biggest and oldest African Spurred tortoise," survived the fire and is receiving treatment.
"All is good and God is still in control," the post continued. "In comparison to all the things going on in the world today this event is tragic for the animals involved, but it should not be considered a tragedy by any means."
