KOKOMO, Miss. — After weeks of worry and anticipation, Myrtle, a beloved family pet tortoise, has been joyfully reunited with its owners in Mississippi. The tortoise went missing during a series of devastating tornadoes that struck the region in March.
Tiffany Emanuel, Myrtle’s devoted caretaker, expressed her relief and happiness at having her pet back. “He’s endured quite a bit,” she remarked. “I am committed to supporting him every step of the way, ensuring he receives the care and attention he needs to recover.”
When the tornado hit on March 15, the Emanuel family swiftly evacuated their residence in the rural area of Kokomo. Upon their return, they were devastated to discover that two large pine trees had toppled onto the enclosure where Myrtle was kept, and their tortoise was nowhere to be found.
Hope seemed lost until a neighbor stumbled upon Myrtle weeks later. The injured tortoise was immediately taken to the Central Mississippi Turtle Rescue on April 4 for urgent medical care. “The woman who found Myrtle reached out to me,” recalled Christy Milbourne, the founder and codirector of the rescue center. “She mentioned having encountered the owners and believed they might contact us. I was thrilled when they did reach out and acknowledged Myrtle as their tortoise.”
Currently, Emanuel is focused on aiding Myrtle’s recovery, tending to his injuries with care and dedication. “Amidst the sorrow and destruction, it feels uplifting to find a glimmer of joy,” she shared, underscoring the emotional significance of Myrtle’s return.