Rescuers Use Recycled Bra Clasps To Fix Turtles’ Broken Shells

• Brilliant animal rescuers have found a way to save turtles by fixing their broken shells.
• An Iowa-based wildlife organization has found bra clasps as the perfect materials.
• Bra fasteners, zip ties, and marine epoxy can save a turtle’s life.

Turtles are cute and most people keep the small ones as their pets. Loved, looked after, and cared for. But what about those in the wild? 

Recently, one organization dedicated to saving wildlife posted on Facebook that they are in need of bra fasteners and zip ties. Wildthunder Wildlife & Animal Rehabilitation & Sanctuary came up with the idea that your everyday household items can be recycled to save a life. 

Let’s check a few facts about turtle shells to help you catch up. 

1. The top part of the shell is called a carapace.
2. The belly part is called the plastron.
3. The side that keeps the upper and the lower part is called the bridge.
4. The shells are meant to protect the turtle
5. The inner layer of the shell is made up of around sixty bones, which includes their ribs, backbone, and breastbone.

Some turtles are not so lucky and might get involved in accidents, like fire, speedy cars, or contract diseases such as fungal or bacterial infections. These may cause the shells to break, which would then endanger the creature’s life. But luckily, a non-profit organization based in Iowa found a way to mend the broken shells. 

Tracy Belle, director of Wildthunder Wildlife & Animal Rehabilitation & Sanctuary, said that they have rescued a turtle with a cracked shell. So she used what she had at that time to have the little fella fixed up. She used old bra fasteners, zip ties, and marine epoxy to keep the shell together. 

On Ju e 25, they posted on Facebook asking for unused bra fasteners and zip ties and donations started to flood in. In just a couple of weeks or so, an update was posted thanking everybody who helped spread the news and those donated. Even after posting their gratefulness, they continue to receive donations and had to formally post an advisory that they do not need more.

Wildthunder Wildlife & Animal Rehabilitation & Sanctuary received not only bra fasteners and zip ties. Many concerned individuals who donated might have been misinformed. The organization received more than just fasteners but discarded bras too! They have more than what they need and donated the bras to a homeless youth shelter and domestic violence shelter instead.