A rare freshwater Fly River turtle—affectionately named Dinosaur by her rescuers—has died, just over a month after she was miraculously found struggling for life in the frigid waters near Wasaga Beach. The species, native only to northern Australia and New Guinea, is endangered and typically lives in water close to 88°F. Found 15,000 kilometres from home, emaciated and covered in zebra mussels, Dinosaur had already endured more hardship than most animals ever face.
She was transported to the Reptilia zoo in Whitby on October 6, where staff immediately recognized the severity of her condition. A significant shell injury, combined with the shock of cold water and long-term neglect, put her health “really up in the air” from the beginning, said zookeeper and community engagement officer Ashley Maika. Despite dedicated care, warming treatments, antibiotics, and hopeful signs like improved energy and healing wounds, Dinosaur succumbed to complications from a widespread infection earlier this week.
Maika noted that while the loss is heartbreaking, there is comfort in knowing the turtle spent her final days surrounded by warmth, safety, and compassion rather than the icy waters where she was discovered. She praised the group of rescuers—including a friend with reptile expertise who cared for Dinosaur overnight—for acting quickly and giving the endangered turtle a fighting chance. As a protected species in Australia and popular in the illegal pet trade, Dinosaur was likely smuggled into Canada and later abandoned outdoors. Maika emphasized that this is a common and dangerous mistake: “People often think they can live outside here, but with our winters, that would be a death sentence.”
Dinosaur’s story captured widespread attention, drawing countless messages of support and concern from the community and beyond. Many people followed her progress online, rooting for her recovery. Maika said the outpouring of love demonstrated how powerful collective compassion can be, even for a single small animal.
The staff at Reptilia, who provided round-the-clock care, were especially impacted by her loss. Their efforts—expert treatment, dedicated monitoring, and unwavering tenderness—reflect the zoo’s ongoing mission to help reptiles in need. “Dinosaur’s story underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership and the profound impact of community and kindness,” Maika said. “While she should never have faced such hardship, her final chapter was filled with people who cared deeply for her.”
Though cases of neglected, abandoned, and illegally imported reptiles remain far too common, Dinosaur’s brief time in Whitby has renewed the commitment of her caregivers. Her journey, though tragic, has sparked conversations about responsibility, empathy, and the role humans play in protecting vulnerable species.