06/13/2026
In Itacajá, Tocantins, Brazil, a red-footed tortoise was discovered alive beneath the floor of a family home after workers opened the area during repairs in February 2025. Officials believe the tortoise had been trapped there for nearly a decade.
The tortoise, nicknamed Donatello by veterinarians, survived in a dark, tight space with almost no access to food or sunlight. Its shell was damaged and required treatment, so it could not be released immediately. Specialists at the Centro de Fauna (CEFAU) in Palmas cared for Donatello for seven months, monitoring his health and restoring his shell.
During this time, the tortoise regained strength and was eventually released back into the wild. Experts note that tortoises can slow their metabolism and survive long periods with minimal food or water, especially when inactive—but surviving under a sealed floor for nearly ten years is extraordinary.
Donatello’s story is a remarkable example of resilience in nature. It also highlights the red-footed tortoise, or jabuti-piranga, a land tortoise species, and shows how careful rehabilitation can help animals recover and return safely to their natural habitat.