Meet Fire Chief

Turtle Rescue League is happy to announce that Fire Chief is now an Ambassador Emeritus!

After 5 years of medical treatments, physical therapy, and more love than we can put into words, our friend the Chief is living it up and continuing to grow stronger in his own custom-built outdoor pond. He’s loving life in the care of two of TRL’s biggest supporters and closest friends, and we couldn’t be happier for him.

We miss him in the clinic, but this is exactly what we all worked so hard for.

Donations in Fire Chief’s honor can be made below, and now that he doesn’t live with us, every dollar in his fund will sit ready for any turtle that comes through our doors requiring unique treatment or specialized equipment and skills that we can’t currently provide in our clinic.

If you choose to make a recurring donation, you’ll be able to tell us if you’d like a name or organization listed on this page to recognize your support for Fire Chief and any turtle that may find itself in very serious trouble!

We know Fire Chief well, and there is no doubt this dedicated emergency fund for turtles in dire need is worthy of his name and fits his gentle personality.

Fire Chief’s Story

Hail to the Chief! Fire Chief was a mighty presence at Turtle Rescue League. This powerful but charming gentleman is around 80 years old and has TRL staff, volunteers and visitors wrapped around his finger (claw?).

For many years, firefighters in an old New England town had watched for Fire Chief’s annual migration from his summer wetland behind their fire station to a deeper pond for overwintering just across the road. In 2017, his crossing went bad. Turtle Rescue League founders Natasha and Alexxia arrived just in time to watch badly injured Chief slip below the surface of the pond. A lengthy, complicated, watery rescue ensued.

Fire Chief has been one of our most involved rehabilitation cases. We and the Chief (and his inspiration, Miękki) are working hard to regain the use of his hind legs, and we’ve made great progress. With the ability to live past 100 years, it’s been well worth the effort. The Chief has many wonderful years ahead of him.

If you would like to help support Fire Chief, his fellow ambassadors, and our patients at the Turtle Rescue League, please donate today!

Fire Chief and everyone at TRL would like to thank the following turtle heroes for their ongoing support!

Hunter McFadden

Sy Montgomery

Matt Patterson

Colleen Slater

Kate Benkert

Jaclyn Rumpf

Martha Girolami

Carol Scallan

Oscar Griffin

Cindy Froman in memory of Mushu

Juniper and Andrew Mallory