We regret having to make this sad announcement but Winky suddenly passed away this fall/winter (2007). She had been indoors for the winter for only a few weeks. She had been acting and eating normally and was found dead one morning. We all here at GCTTS were very surprised and unhappy to here this news. We do realize that as seriously injured as Winky's brain had been that there was always the chance that something hidden could later take her life. We have to look at the bright side and know that we gave her 4 more good years that she wouldn't have had otherwise. Winky's caregivers enjoyed her cute face and she helped to educate many people when she was presented at GCTTS educational events.

If you would like to read the history of Winky, please read on:

Winky is a special long term care case. She is a wild Red-eared Slider that has been with us since May 2004 when she was hit by a car and sustained a head injury along with a large fracture in her carapace and numerous small fractures in her bridges. We don't know if she can ever be released back into the wild. She is not a good swimmer so must be kept in water less than a foot deep. During part of the Summer she lives with one GCTTS member who has a spacious but shallow outdoor box turtle pond. During the rest of the warm months she lives in her rehabber's yard and shallow pond. During the winter months her rehabber sets her up in a large tank indoors.

Being inside all winter allows her rehabber, who likes nature photography, to get some good shots. Winky is very tame and doesn't mind the camera in her face. This winter Winky had some smaller red-ear tankmates which seemed to help keep her active. She's gentle with the smaller turtles and they sometimes bask on her back. Her rehabber plans to keep a young turtle with her from now on.

Since GCTTS has had Winky the longest of any rehab turtle, we have made her the unofficial mascot of the GCTTS. She ocassionally goes to events with her rehabber and is a good education animal. She has a calm personality and doesn't seem to be bothered by people looking at her. People at the events love hearing about her interesting history with GCTTS.

We want to share these happy photos of Winky and hope you enjoy them! For Winky's complete history with GCTTS click here:

WINKY- FROM THE BEGINNING

(Click on each thumbnail for a larger photo)