Yes, that is a dead turtle that is still burning on the inside of its shell.
The many wildfires this summer have damaged houses, injured and killed people, and burned acres of land, but we haven’t heard much about the poor animals caught in destruction paths. The above tortoise was found in Mannford, Okla., over the weekend. The tortoise likely died from smoke inhalation before being burnt to a crisp, and it had little chance of escape.
Then there was the baby golden eagle that narrowly survived a fire in Utah earlier this summer. The bird, too young to fly, is thought to have fallen 25 feet from his nest to the ground, then rolled down to the base of a cliff. He was badly burnt and would have likely died if not for a man who used the bird’s tracking band to locate him. It is unclear so far if little Phoenix suffered permanent damage that would prevent him from flying.
In Volborg, Mont., herds of cows were unable to escape the Ash Creek Fire in July. Hundreds of cattle died in the blaze, and many survivors were so badly injured that they were killed after the fire cleared. Some ranchers ran to cut barbed wire fences so cows could escape, but the fire still took many casualties.
Some animals, such as dogs and cats, often are able to run to safety. In the process, however, many pets get lost. Those that are found must go through the scary process of being kept in shelters or foster homes. The Tulsa SPCA is currently caring for displaced pets, providing veterinary care and working to reunite pets with their owners. The organization is accepting donations, if you are inclined to help.
Oklahoma’s wildfires have slowed down thanks to cooler temperatures and some very active firefighters, but the flames continue to burn in certain areas.
Because global warming will continue to give us more wildfires, precaution can be very important. The Folsom City Zoo has taken precautions to protect animals in the event of a fire. The zoo created “fuel breaks,” which are areas less dense in vegetation so firefighters can safely traverse the area and protect the animals from inside the zoo.
Main photo via Reddit; video credit: Tulsa World