In a heartwarming turn of events, Rockalina, an eastern box turtle, has finally stepped outside for the first time in nearly 50 years, thanks to the efforts of the Garden State Tortoise rehabilitation center in New Jersey. Founded by Chris Leone, the center frequently receives requests to rescue turtles that their owners can no longer care for. However, Rockalina's story stands out due to her unique and challenging circumstances.

Rockalina was discovered by a young boy while he was playing near his home in New York back in 1977. After being taken in by the boy's family, she spent decades living in an environment that starkly contrasted with her natural habitat. Instead of roaming through sunlit forests and near water bodies, she found herself confined to a slick kitchen floor, subsisting primarily on cat food and the occasional piece of lettuce. According to Leone, the conditions under which she lived were detrimental to her well-being, depriving her of the essential elements that would have characterized her life in the wild, such as sunlight, natural terrain, and appropriate diet.

When Rockalina arrived at Garden State Tortoise in February, her condition was alarming. Leone noted that her skin was discolored and peeling, her nails had become deformed and were growing into her feet, and one of her legs was in particularly bad shape, raising concerns that it might need to be amputated. Compounding these issues, Rockalina's eyes were covered with dead skin, leaving her completely blind. Leone shared a video of her condition on social media, expressing his fears that her recovery might not be possible.

We felt we were going to lose her, Leone remarked. Right away it was like, I dont know about this one. She cant even see. Despite their concerns, the team at Garden State Tortoise began an intensive rehabilitation process, starting with a warm bath that would ultimately kickstart her recovery.

Remarkably, within 45 to 50 minutes of being immersed in warm water, Rockalinas eyes opened for the first time in years. Leone described her reaction as one of bewilderment, as she seemed to realize she was in a completely new environment. The progress she made in those initial days was encouraging.

As an eastern box turtle, Rockalina belongs to a species that used to thrive in the eastern United States, darting around ponds and inhabiting backyards. Unfortunately, their populations have been severely impacted by habitat destruction, vehicle strikes, and the pet trade. Additionally, smuggling remains a significant threat, with these turtles often being found in illegal transports bound for overseas markets, particularly in Asia. Eastern box turtles are remarkable creatures, capable of retracting almost entirely into their shells, and they can live for over a century, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo.

Leones passion for turtles started when he was just five years old, after his father discovered a box turtle while mowing the lawn. This encounter sparked a lifelong fascination that would ultimately lead to the establishment of Garden State Tortoise.

Rockalinas recovery progressed steadily after her initial soak. Leone and the center's veterinarian administered antibiotics to prevent infection and introduced soft foods into her diet. They also carefully trimmed her nails and beak, which had become distorted due to her previous living conditions.

It felt like this turtle knew we were helping her. Every single step that we took, she immediately responded to it, Leone noted.

To further aid in her recovery, Rockalina was moved to a habitat designed to mimic her natural ecosystem, complete with artificial logs, a water area, and various types of foliage. The culmination of her rehabilitation came in late April when she was finally able to venture outside for the first time in half a century.

Leone described her reaction to the outdoors: She was like, What is this? This soft grass? She perked up, stared at the sky, and began to blink her eyes. Rockalinas instincts began to resurface as well, as she was seen munching on an earthworm, a sign that she was adjusting to her new environment.

It was one of those rare moments where you feel like youre witnessing a genuine happy ending, Leone expressed.

While Rockalina has made significant strides in her recovery, she still has a long way to go. Leone mentioned that her back leg, which had been a major concern, is healing but remains undersized. Additionally, she will never resemble a typical wild eastern box turtle, as her beak will remain misshapen and her coloration unlikely to return to its natural vibrancy.

Looking ahead, Leone plans to construct an outdoor enclosure for Rockalina and continue sharing her journey on social media, where many followers are actively invested in her well-being. Theres still a lot more to her story that were going to tell, Leone said, hinting at the ongoing saga of this resilient reptile.