Tortoise loses a leg, learns to walk with a wheel. Learn from the tortoise! 8-)

Tortoise Loses Leg, Learns to Walk With a Wheel

by Stephen Messenger, Porto Alegre, Brazil on 03.16.11

Photo: Cláudio Yudi / HVU
Tortoises are among the oldest species on the planet, remaining virtually unchanged for millions of years -- but sometimes they too need a replacement part every now and then. When a severely injured red-footed tortoise was discovered recently in Uberaba, Brazil, it seemed to be on the verge of death. A team of surgeon from the local veterinary hospital succeeded in saving the animal's life, but injuries forced to amputate one of its front legs. Just when it looked certain that the tortoise would never walk again, one of the vets had an ingenious idea -- to reinvent the wheel, tortoise style.
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