Hope, a 6-year-old albino turtle born in miraculous circumstances, has died. Her owner, Michael Aquilina, shared the sad news on his Instagram account after she passed on Sunday, August 11, 2024.
Hope, a pink-belly side-neck turtle, came into the world with an exposed heart. Her story caught public attention in November 2018 after Aquilina began talking about her on social media. Aquilina also had to announce her death via his Instagram account alongside a glowing tribute to his dear pet.
In the post to his 393,000 followers, he expressed gratitude to the turtle for stepping into his life and making it “worth living.”
A Tribute to Hope the Albino Turtle
He posted a tribute to Hope that began by saying, “I love you, Hope. I will miss you forever.” “I feel broken without you. Thank you for making my life worth living. I wouldn’t still be here if you never came into my life. Because of you, a lot of people have hope. You’ve brought joy and positivity and strength to so many,” he added.
“Together, we were able to touch the world,” he continued. “I will try my best to keep going and to keep your spirit alive 🤧 Until we meet again. Swim in Peace, baby girl 😢 Gone but never ever ever forgotten ❤️.”
The post included a video where he described Hope’s last moments. He stated that when he took Hope to the hospital on August 10, he had no idea that it would be the last time he would see her alive.
Aquilina said his “heart is broken because the thought of losing her this time around didn’t even cross my mind.” Also, he had agreed with the doctors on a four-day treatment plan, which they believed would get her health fully back on track.
“She made it through the night and was doing well the next morning,” he narrated. “Around 3 pm, they called and said she was declining and her heart rate had slowed. Around 7 pm, they called again and said that she was showing signs of improvement. Then at 9 pm, I woke up to 6 missed calls,” he added. He then answered the call, only to receive the news of her death.
Apparently, Hope was a huge piece of his life, and the news was pretty devastating. “Hope was a part of my daily routine, my pride and joy, my purpose for six years of my life, and I will be lost without her,” he lamented.
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Is Hope the Turtle With the Exposed Heart Still Alive?
Hope, the albino turtle with the exposed heart is no longer alive. She died on August 11, 2024, in the care of medical personnel who did their best to keep her breathing. Her owner, Michael Aquilina, is still reeling from the pain of the sad news he got after she was hospitalized.
However, Aquilina still has her medical bills to sort out. To achieve this, he has launched an appeal to the public and those who have watched Hope grow over the years. He has created a GoFundMe for the albino turtle.
His post also contained a donation request. “If you wish to help with Hope’s final hospital bill I’ve linked a GoFundMe in my bio. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated,” he stated.
What Happened To Hope, the Albino Turtle?
Hope, the albino turtle, has a special condition from birth. She has an exposed heart.
As a result, her life consistently hangs on a balance. Doctors admitted her for hospital care back in April 2024. But with prayers and the good efforts of the medical personnel, she was able to scale through the health challenge.
However, Hope’s health ran into problems again in August. According to Aquilina, her owner, she began to show some undisclosed but unusual symptoms, which prompted him to seek medical assistance.
Do Turtles Have Exposed Hearts?
It is extremely rare for turtles to have exposed hearts. That’s why doctors were also shocked about Hope’s condition. Although a thin membrane covers her heart, the heart doesn’t receive any protection from the shell. This means that her heart is visible from underneath, can easily get punctured, and is more likely to attract infection.
As a result, Aquilina had to make sure the albino turtle stayed in a completely clean and secure environment all the time. Also, Hope couldn’t interact with other animals to prevent the risk of injury. Aquilina got Hope from a turtle breeder who believed he had the patience and compassion required to keep Hope alive for a long time. As it turned out, he made the right choice.
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Do Turtles Love Their Humans?
As Aquilina began to care for Hope, he developed a great bond with the albino turtle and got attached to her. You may wonder, “Do turtles love their humans?” The answer is a resounding “Yes.”
Research shows that turtles are a lot friendlier, more sensitive, and smarter than we give them credit for. Not only do turtles recognize their owners, but these pets also grow in love with them.
However, turtles do not show their affection the same way some other pet would. Unlike the wagging of the dog’s tail, turtles express their love through specific reactions. These include extending their necks to get a closer look at their owner and becoming more active or alert when they detect your presence.
After many encounters with you, turtles can detect your unique scent and even recognize your sound. This means they can respond to your voice by approaching you when they hear it. Also, turtles show their love for humans when they frequently return to their feeding areas or basking spots. This indicates that they are familiar and comfortable with their environment.
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