‘Restored faith in humanity: Scientist performs C-section on dead turtle to save babies, pictures win internet

Nearly after two months, the eggs which he had incubated started to hatch. The scientist shared the joyous news of the little babies coming out of the shell.

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The man said after all of the eggs hatch, the babies will be released back in its natural habitat.

More often than not, humans’ careless attitude can cause harm to innocent animals. And while many might do their best to help injured animals it’s not everyday we hear humans stepping up to save unborn babies of those dead! Yes, something remarkable happened when a Michigan scientist came across turtle on the road and went above and beyond to save its babies.

Dr Eric C Martens, whose profile identified him as “gut microbiome scientist” said he found the turtle on his way back home from work in early June this year. Although initially he thought he would just help the animal cross the road, he quickly realised it dead after being hit by a car.

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However, realising that the turtle must have ventured out of its habitat, a nearby pond, to lay eggs, the scientist got the animal home and performed a C-section to retrieve its eggs in order to save the babies. And he was right! The mother had seven eggs inside her, which he retrieved, “placed in substrate and started incubating”.

This story starts sad but has a happy ending: In early June I got out of my car coming home from work to help a turtle cross the road in our neighborhood, only to find that a careless driver had already hit and killed her. Figuring she was searching for a place to lay eggs, (1/4) pic.twitter.com/5LlJrck74B

— Eric C Martens (@EricCMartens1) August 1, 2021

“While I was getting the eggs out, a massive storm came through, undoubtedly what motivated her to leave the water that night,” he explained why the mother turtle left its usual home.

While I was getting the eggs out, a massive storm came through, undoubtedly what motivated her to leave the water that night. Then, a brilliant rainbow, which (as corny as it sounds) would intersect the ground right where I found her in the road from the perspective taken (3/4). pic.twitter.com/JLVSEPt4nn

— Eric C Martens (@EricCMartens1) August 1, 2021

Now, nearly after two months, the eggs which he had incubated started to hatch. The scientist shared the joyous news of the little babies coming out of the shell.

Today her eggs started hatching! So far with 2 fully emerged and healthy and at least 3 more on the way. They’ll get a few days to get to full strength and maybe a meal or two before going back into the same pond their mom came from (4/4). pic.twitter.com/F2LfUTViuE

— Eric C Martens (@EricCMartens1) August 1, 2021

“So far with 2 fully emerged and healthy and at least 3 more on the way,” he wrote, excited about the happy outcome. “They’ll get a few days to get to full strength and maybe a meal or two before going back into the same pond their mom came from,” he added. He also shared a picture with a coin to show netizens, how tiny the turtles were.

I forgot to note that they are crazy tiny! pic.twitter.com/zSXRJSP2Y5

— Eric C Martens (@EricCMartens1) August 1, 2021

People on the micro-blogging site were moved by the touching story and many applauded the man for going to great lengths to save the baby turtles even after their mother died. Many while gushing over the newborns also dubbed the scientist as “turtle dad” online.

The story also brought focus about turtles’ movement during rainy season when they look for safe places to lay eggs. Many others lamented that they have come across several such injured turtles on the road not realising it was a female who might have needed such help.

Here’s how netizens reacted to the beautiful story:

Today, on this entire planet, you da man. YOU DA MAN! pic.twitter.com/jrDpgRsAmf

— Paul Newland (@PaulNewland15) August 2, 2021

I wish I had your expertise — I keep seeing turtles that have been run over on the road to my cottage and I’m sure they were females heading off to lay eggs. Good for you for saving those tiny lives!

— Peggy Blair (@peggy_blair) August 2, 2021

Exactly this – not many people in your neighbourhood would have that expertise and equipment. Amazing Eric!

— Lis Lowe👩🏼‍🔬 (@Lis_Lowe) August 2, 2021

This should be turned into a kid’s book. Thanks 🙏🏽 much for your kindness and compassion

— Dr Yane Valdez T, MSc PhD *PRO-VAXXER* (@YaneValdezT) August 2, 2021

That really was a lucky turtle in spite of her untimely death. What a wonderful thing to do. And hats off to you for being so knowledgeable!

— Elizabeth Robertson Heatley (@Elizabethcanuck) August 2, 2021

Oww what a serendipity 💛 Congrats for becoming a parent!

— Emma Hdez Sanabria (@ehdezsanabria) August 2, 2021

You shall from hereon be known to all as “Turtle Daddy”

— Natalie (@CardboardNirvan) August 2, 2021

Wow! You are such a kind man! This story made my day! I love the spiritual symbolism with the rainbow. You definitely were a steward of God’s creation that day! 🙏🌹

— maggie corns (@margaret_corns) August 3, 2021

Beautiful. The part where you do the c-section (wowww) and the hatchlings peeking out of the egg are the best in the story. Makes my day.

— Garima Trivedi (@garima5555) August 2, 2021

This absolutely made my day! My faith in humanity has been so shaken by this pandemic. Thank you for restoring that faith by being an awesome human! Thanks for sharing! ❤️🐢❤️🐢❤️🐢❤️🐢

— TexasHeartNurse (@NurseTexas) August 2, 2021

This is so beautiful. I’m sorry mother turtle died but so glad you got her eggs and hatched her babies.

— Sinmi (she/her) (@Sinmiaraoye) August 3, 2021

This is off the charts heartwarming ❤️❤️❤️….and that rainbow part ? Wow !!
Pretty sure there’s a rainbow bridge for animals and she hadn’t ascended till she was sure her babies were safe …😍

— gita (@amethysthues) August 3, 2021

Brilliant that you could do all of that! Marvelous human! Our world needs more like you. Wonderfully happy ending. Thank you.

— Marilynn Mendell (@WinSpinCIC) August 2, 2021