Disabled Pedro is the fastest turtle on two… wheels
Meet Pedro, the fastest turtle on two legs. When the diers owners got it, he already missed a hind leg, but later he also lost his other copy, a solution had to be found. The doctors at the University of Louisiana’s Animal Hospital came up with an equally practical and playful solution: a Lego wheelchair.
During his adoption, Pedro dragged himself on three legs, but after an unscheduled trip of a few months, the turtle returned with only two more limbs. His owners took him to the University Hospital in Baton Rouge, where it was found that apart from his missing legs, little was wrong with Pedro.
“There was nothing wrong with him medically,” says spokesperson Ginger Guttner to CNN. “But, of course, he was out of hind legs, and so the doctors had to find a solution for him quickly.” Which was found at the toy store. With the undercarriage of a Lego car, some animal-friendly glue, and parts of a syringe, they got Pedro on the leg.
High-tech support
The disabled turtle goes like a rocket on its high-tech chassis. To keep Pedro’s new hind legs clean, the handy cart can simply be clicked off. According to Guttner, veterinarians often use non-everyday items to help animals. “I would say that most of our special equipment includes custom objects.”
The disabled turtle goes like a rocket on its high-tech undercarriage. To keep Pedro’s ass clean, the handy cart can simply be clicked off. According to Guttner, vets often do not use everyday objects to help animals. “I would almost say that most of our special equipment consists of modified objects.”
The hospital spokeswoman tells us how they once built a small fountain to keep a fish alive during an internal examination. “Our patients can weigh two grams or 1,000 kilos,” she says. “That’s why we often approach cases from a completely different perspective.” It will all rust on Pedro’s cart, but at least his doctors have a good story to tell.
