Nogo and Niijii

Niijii and Nogo are Midland Painted Turtles, who were both hit by cars and left with life altering injuries. They were brought to the OTCC, the hospital in Ontario, and deemed unreleasable as their injuries would compromise their survival in the wild. Therefore, they came to live with us in June of 2024.

Niijii means friend in Anishinaabemowin and Nogo means knowledge! They were named by our board members from Curve Lake First Nation.

Nogo is larger and has a big gash in her shell likely caused by a boat motor or lawn motor. Niijii has a fracture in her carapace and an injury to her back leg. Both turtles' injuries mean they cannot regulate their buoyancy and walking is a bit altered. Due to their injuries, they cannot live in deep water - because if they flip themselves upside down (as Nogo seems to do) they cannot right themselves and risk drowning. Both of these turtles will continue receiving physiotherapy here at TG to aid in the movement recovery of their back legs!

Niijii and Nogo are very bonded, and lived together at the OTCC while recovering. Now they live together and even eat together. We have watched them get into heated arguments and then seemingly make up. They are a pair!