Injured tortoise receives custom wheelchair allowing it to walk again

This is the heartwarming moment an injured tortoise received a custom wheelchair allowing it to finally walk again.

The Sulcata tortoise owned by Thai animal lover Prayad Hemathulin, 56, was rendered unable to walk after undergoing a surgery that paralysed both of its hind legs.

Prayad said she was searching for possible treatments online when she found a Facebook page of Pet Rescue Nakhon Ratchasima - an animal charity providing wheelchairs for handicapped pets.

She paid a visit to their office in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, where volunteers offered to build a custom wheelchair for her tortoise.

The specialists fashioned the wheelchair out of PVC pipe segments which they fitted to the reptile's underbelly. They then strapped belts across its carapace to secure it to the wheelchair.

Footage shows the disabled animal rolling across the floor using its new implement.

Prayad said: 'My tortoise was urinating blood so I took it to the vet. During the surgery, they administered anaesthesia. After that, my pet cannot walk anymore.

‘The doctor informed me that the anaesthesia had paralysed its rear legs. I searched for treatments for several months, nearly a year, but its condition did not improve. I saw a Facebook page for a group making wheelchairs for handicapped animals and decided to visit in case they could help me.'

Chattakarn Hongsa, president of Pet Rescue Nakhon Ratchasima, said he has been making wheelchairs for thousands of disabled animals for at least eight years.

He said: 'Our wheelchairs have helped more than 10,000 animals, including dogs, cats, goats, sheep, rabbits, and even a swan. However, this was the first time we made one for a handicapped tortoise, so we had to design a wheelchair specifically for it. I'm very happy to see the tortoise walking again thanks to our efforts.'

Patcharapat Phattarajaru, head teacher of special classroom projects at the Ratchasima Witthayalai School, said his pupils wanted to partner with the animal volunteer group to help disabled animals.

He said: 'The children saw both disabled dogs and cats walking in wheelchairs they made, and they were delighted. They were even happier to see a disabled turtle, which they never imagined could use a wheelchair. They were happy that the turtle could walk again, and they were glad for its owner too.'