In a rare and heartwarming case, a female softshell turtle was saved by veterinarians at the RESQ Wildlife TTC in Pune after being found critically ill with 24 eggs stuck inside her—a life-threatening condition that could have turned fatal without immediate intervention.
The distressed turtle was rescued by the Forest Department from the Chinchwad area and rushed to RESQ Charitable Trust, where a team of experts diagnosed her with egg binding—a condition where a female is unable to pass eggs due to stress, injury, or lack of suitable nesting areas.
24 Eggs, A Life at Risk
Ultrasound scans revealed the turtle’s abdomen was completely filled with eggs. “We could feel the eggs pushing against her lungs, making it hard for her to breathe,” said Dr. Stuti Srivastava, head veterinarian at RESQ.
Attempts to encourage natural laying failed, so the team resorted to a rare surgical procedure called ovocentesis, where eggs are carefully punctured and removed, one at a time. The meticulous procedure took two hours and successfully removed 24 eggs—saving the turtle’s life.
Back to the Wild
Following surgery, the turtle recovered swiftly and has now been released into her natural habitat by the Forest Department. Experts emphasized the need for awareness about wildlife nesting spaces and minimizing human interference, which often leads to such emergencies.
Hope for Urban Wildlife
This case is a powerful reminder of the critical role wildlife rescuers and veterinarians play in saving animals affected by urban expansion and habitat loss. The turtle, once gasping for life, now swims free—thanks to quick action, compassion, and a touch of surgical brilliance.