College Station's bravest didn't just ensure the safety of local residents, but extended their warm embrace to a shelled inhabitant facing the unforgiving cold snap. The College Station Fire Department was summoned yesterday to perform an out-of-the-ordinary rescue operation - to safely transport Jack, a prodigious 24-year-old African spurred tortoise tipping the scales at 150 pounds, from his chilly outdoor shed to a cozy indoor retreat. In a show of interspecies solidarity, firefighters used a recycling bin to ingeniously relocate the cold-stunned creature, a service above their usual call of duty.
Jack's custodian, Laura Adair, has seen him grow from a tiny coin-sized hatchling to the majestic tank he is today. Reflecting on the February 2021 freeze that prompted them to bring Jack indoors, Adair and her family were determined not to take chances with the recent drop in temperatures. "We made his shelter more winter-proof this time, but with it being so much colder than usual, we started overthinking and wanted to move him inside to ensure he was warmer," Adair told KBTX. With Jack now in hibernation, the family plans to rely on warmer days and some muscle to return Jack to his upgraded outdoor home.
The goodwill gesture by the firefighters, often hailed for extinguishing blazes and saving lives, has not gone unnoticed. Social media buzzed with appreciation for the fire department's compassionate act, with Jack's owner taking to the platforms to express gratitude. "We’re so thankful for y’all!!! He’s very happy inside!" Lauren, Jack's owner, exclaimed in a reply captured by KENS 5.
The arctic blast, it seems, plans to stubbornly linger in the Brazos Valley for the week, with only brief periods of relief hinting at warmer air. The forecast reveals that after a slight thaw around Thursday, residents might have to once again brace to bear another dip in temperatures. And while the town's two-legged denizens can bundle up and stoke fires.
