Firmly Shut
This was a room that had never been opened before. The smells on their own were enough to keep all the siblings away. The door has remained firmly shut even until they grew up. They weren’t forced to go inside until three decades later. That’s when they found something that they couldn’t wrap their brains around.
Firmly Shut
A Bigger Problem Arise
In Brazil, Leonel was the patriarch of the Almeida family. One of his hobbies was to fix furniture or other objects that he considered “still perfectly good.” The family watched the practice grow from a mild annoyance and a minor clutter to something much more worrying that had begun to occupy the entire room.
A Bigger Problem Arise
Treasure Or Trash?
He would come home with entire boxes of junk. “He just kept accumulating things,” says Lenita, his daughter. The designated storage space for his treasures soon became one of the spare rooms. Neat stacks turned into messy stacks and unrecognizable pockets of smell. Children wouldn’t have come anywhere close to it. One day, he brought home something different.
Treasure Or Trash
An Unexpected Gift
Mentally, Lenita prepared herself for another garbage gift. Yet, when she felt something heavy and moving about her hand, she opened her eyes to something completely unexpected. Her dad brought a tortoise back home. She named it Manuela and called it the official part of her family. If only she knew it isn’t going to last that long.
Unexpected Gift
Got Away
Tortoises are common pets that Lenita originates from. They’re easy to take care of and slow enough to make sure that their caretakers don’t worry about them escaping. That’s what the family thought, at least. However, only a few days later, they lost track of the tiny pet. Plus, the fact that their home was under construction didn’t help either.
Got Away
Nowhere To Be Found
They were looking for it everywhere. Out in the garden, in the street and around the property. They began searching all over the place that the tortoise liked to hide. They hoped it was near water at least. The heat would not be kind to an infant-like Manuela. They also hoped it wasn’t caught under an unsuspecting foot.
Nowhere To Be Found
Childhood Memory
But as days passed, they gave up and moved on at last. Years went by, and the experience slowly became an amusing childhood memory that hardly had made it the forefront of their adult minds. Only when Leonel grew old and passed, did the story become truly significant again.
Childhood Memory
Rotten Smell
One of the jobs that the siblings had to do was clean up the spare room-the junk room. Every sense was bombarded with the must, the mold and the smell of rot when they opened the rickety door. They had no other option than to empty it. On the curb for trash pickup, pile after pile made it out.
Rotten Smell
Another Hoarder?
The son, Leandro, took out some heavy boxes when the neighbor saw the mountain growing and asked if he could take a look at it. Is there another hoarder? Just go for it. But as they were rummaging around, their reactions varied. One of the boxes was opened, and they looked at the son, confused. “You’re not throwing out that as well, are you?”
Another Hoarder
In Disbelief
Leandro looked inside the box, scanning his eyes across the odds and ending up in his father’s junk collection. He thought the man had to talk about the old record player of his father’s garbage-picked. Perhaps it was an antique? Then he saw it and, in disbelief, his eyes widened. But what he had seen could not be possible.
In Disbelief
They Can’t Believe It
“What?” He leaned closer to the box, and his jaw came unhinged. There he saw that Manuela was … well, very much alive. “That’s not possible!” he thought, turning white, and then he called the rest of the family out. Everyone stood in a circle, with wide eyes and a loss of words. How in the world did it survive?
They Can’t Believe It
Medical Attention
The tortoise was rushed to the vet immediately. It probably needed some medical attention. They also needed answers. I mean, it’s been thirty years since all that happened. The vet was astounded, as well, when he heard the story, but not nearly as surprised. He went on to explain the incredible facts of the species.
Medical Attention
Impressive Survivalists
The red-footed family is extra resilient, while most tortoises are impressive survivalists. They like to eat fruit and leaves but can also exist on expired animals or droppings. They can go without food for 2 or 3 years, if necessary. The stash of the father was also a key element of Manuela’s existence.
Impressive Survivalists
Termites, Bugs…And Humids?
The vet suspected they had termites and other bugs in the furniture he brought home. As they repopulated, the tortoise could perhaps eat them away. It could lick off at any condensation from an extra-humid room, too. But that didn’t mean that everything in the health department was fine. The time in storage was still far too long.
Termites, Bugs…And Humid
Reserve Fat Pads
Some family answers were also provided by Anthony Pilny, a veterinary surgeon and bird and reptile specialist at the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine in New York City. He explained that in most reptiles, there are reserve fat pads that can be used when food is scarce. But he also pointed out that it could prove to be a challenge to reintroduce Manuel to the world.
Reserve Fat Pads
Wasn’t The First Time
“They should go very slowly – start by warming her up and rehydrating Manuela before feeding … Give her warm water soaks and offer a small meal after she seems stable,” Pilny advised. “Then take her to a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles for a checkup and some bloodwork.” However, it wasn’t the first time Pilny had seen such a thing happen.
Wasn’t The First Time
Red-Eared Slider Water Tortoise
Pliny’s own red-eared slider water tortoise suddenly disappeared from his tank: “I looked everywhere, turned my apartment upside down, but to no avail. About three months later, I was packing to move, and while cleaning out my bedroom closet, found him in a shoe buried in the back of the closet,” he said. “He wasn’t responsive or moving, but didn’t look dead, so I dropped him in the tank. Nothing happened for a few minutes as he sank, but then he suddenly came alive and acted as if nothing had ever happened.”
Red Eared Slider Water Tortoise
Likely To Recover
“We’re all thrilled to have Manuela back,” Lenita said. “But no one can understand how she managed to survive for 30 years in there—it’s just unbelievable.” Jefferson Pires, the vet, was astounded. A tortoise that has no food left in the attic must be some record! But although she had survived her 30-year ordeal, she was still not quite out of the woods.
Likely To Recover
Detailed Plan
The family would have to follow a detailed plan for better food and water to be rehabilitated in Manuela. And they’d have to do it very slowly. They could have given it a good home in their garden. Strangely, their father was the one to say thank you. Well, how about now?
Detailed Plan
Lifetime Friend
With their old friend, the Almeida family has another thirty years to enjoy. Yes, these aren’t pets that can be taken lightly. They might be “easy,” but they still have a long commitment. The reason for this is that pet versions can not be released in the wild. They’re going to be with you for a long time. You may be surprised to find out these stories weren’t the only ones of their kind. In fact, this next one is even more intriguing…
Lifetime Friend
Where Was The Stench In The Neighborhood Coming From?
This house in Madagascar truly interested neighbors and bystanders. At last, it was reported to the authorities. The family living next door kept smelling something off – a strong scent coming from the eerie abandoned house. They had no idea what the smell could possibly be. All the same, something was wrong, that much was obvious. No one could have anticipated what was living inside that house.
Where Was The Stench In The Neighborhood Coming From?
The Smell Was Suffocating
There was one point in time that the scent became so intense that people living anywhere in the neighborhood began feeling almost suffocated. They started wondering how on earth such a smell could cause such an effect. What could give off such a smell in an abandoned house? They didn’t have the answers to these questions. And so, they went on with their day-to-day lives, hoping something will be done on the matter.
The Smell Was Suffocating
They Figured It Out
At first, the neighborhood residents couldn’t figure out where exactly the smell originated. For a while, they tried ignoring it altogether, hoping it would disappear on its own. Unfortunately, that never happened. Naturally, the people didn’t want to turn around and blame one another. Doing so would only worsen things. Finally, everyone came to the conclusion that the smell was coming from the local abandoned house. By this point, it was clear that something needed to be done.
They Figured It Out
The Neighbors Were Confused
While everyone was under the impression that the house was abandoned, they did see people occasionally entering and exiting the mysterious house. The neighborhood residents didn’t understand how those strangers didn’t mind going inside the terribly smelling house. Did they not notice the stench? How could they go inside so easily? Most of the people nearby couldn’t even go close to the house, let alone inside!
The Neighbors Were Confused
Just The Start
With time, the locals began wondering what could possibly be causing such a stench. To everyone’s relief, the smell finally disappeared for a while. They were sure that was the last of it, that the problem was solved. Sadly, they were mistaken. They might have believed that it was over, but it was only just beginning at that point… They had no idea what the future held.
Just The Start
The Return Of The Stench
Everyone thought that the smell was an issue of the past, but then it returned, worse than ever. That’s when the neighbors got together to discuss what actions can be taken to get rid of the smell. Everyone agreed that the stench was coming from that one abandoned house in the neighborhood. They knew it was impossible to just walk inside of their own accord. They had to come up with a plan.
The Return Of The Stench
They Called In Some Backup
What they did next was call the authorities. They wanted to make sure they were breaking no laws in the process of resolving the issue. They spoke to the officers, telling them how significant the smell was and how it was causing problems all over the neighborhood. After hearing all the complaints from the civilians, the officers had a theory about what could have been causing such a horrid smell that traveled so far.
They Called In Some Backup
Time To Investigate
After receiving the call, the police officers got to work and launched an investigation on the abandoned house. They took a few neighbors with them to help navigate the area properly. They didn’t have a clue about what they’d find inside the house. The officers didn’t know what they were about to discover, so it was crucial for them to be cautious and prepare in whatever ways they could. If anything would go awry, they had specialists accompanying them. A wildlife expert and a medical examiner joined them.
Time To Investigate
The Wildlife Committee Members
The wildlife committee included a woman named Soary Randrianjafizanaka. Part of a department that was called by the authorities, they were present to help with the bizarre investigation. Normally, the department would help out when people reported strange smells. Randrianjafizanaka is the head of the agency. When she heard about this story, she wanted to join and investigate the matter. The reason she was curious was due to the fact that her home was not far from the scene. She already had a suspicion about what was in store. But she turned out to be completely wrong.
The Wildlife Committee Members
Welcome To Toliara
The house was in a city named Toliara. It was on the southwest coast of the East African country. This town in particular is known for being both beautiful and peaceful. When you take a look at the beaches, it looks like an absolute paradise. Anyone would love living in such a picturesque place.
Welcome To Toliara
No Way It Was Foul Play
Overall, the country’s residents have been able to co-exist without any tension. The city in question has a great reputation. In fact, this was so true that officers couldn’t believe that foul play was an option. For this reason, they got in touch with Randrianjafizanaka. The matter could be animal-realted. That would make the most sense to all of them.
No Way It Was Foul Play
The Agency Has Lots Of Experience
The Environmental Agency has existed for quite some time now. It’s seen so many different unbelievable incidents involving animals. They’ve handled cases that ranged from rescuing small kittens to dealing with the fiercest predators on the land. They had no idea what they would be facing this time around. And so, they got to work to find out.
The Agency Has Lots Of Experience
No One Had Any Idea
There were only a few animals in the area that the organization hasn’t dealt with just yet. For this reason, the police always give them a call when they think an investigation might be related to an animal in some way or another. By this point, the police had absolutely no idea what they would find in this investigation.
No One Had Any Idea
Getting There
As soon as they arrived at the given address, they noticed the terrible smell. It was something no one could figure out. Randrianjafizanaka was at a complete loss as to what could possibly cause such a smell. She went inside, knowing she’d seen all kinds of situations in her line of work. All the same, this one felt different than the rest. The team couldn’t think of anything that would cause the smell. They were feeling rather uncertain as they entered the house.
Getting There
The House Looked Nothing Out Of The Ordinary
Other than the awful stench coming from the house, the home looked completely ordinary on the outside. It was a nice-sized house, too. No one would have known there was a dark secret hiding within the spooky structure. It was so silent inside the house that it felt eerie. Everyone there wondered why such a nice house was abandoned in the first place. The group there looked around, searching for signs that perhaps the house was for sale. There were none.
The House Looked Nothing Out Of The Ordinary
Time To Go In
As the group of experts went inside the house with the police officers, they began feeling lightheaded due to the overwhelming stench. Engulfed in the awful smell, they had no other choice but to go even deeper inside the house. They hadn’t found out what was causing the smell yet. Everyone there kept their eyes peeled for any hints or clues that would help. Randrianjafizanaka suggested the smell could be animal waste, but what she right?
Time To Go In
Animals Or Humans
By that point, Randrianjafizanaka was almost certain the smell was somehow connected with animals. That kind of smell did have something to do with trapped animals. However, she couldn’t rule out the idea that someone was living in the house. From the way the interior looked, she realized no one was living inside. The group had plenty of questions regarding the mysterious house. Soon enough, Randrianjafizanaka would be getting all the answers.
Animals Or Humans
A Sudden Noise
As they went around the house, the team heard a sudden noise. Everyone froze. Despite the fact that the sound wasn’t too loud, it was loud enough for the team to clearly hear it. Now they were all on their guard. They weren’t alone. It turns out that there were others on the property while they were there. Both parties involved were shocked by the turn of events. The experts and police only felt confused.
A Sudden Noise
In The Middle Of Digging Holes
Finally, the team came face-to-face with those who made the sudden noise. These people were all holding shovels in their hands. What was going on? The officers saw the people digging holes feverishly while also surrounded by various objects. They looked to be in a panic. The officers had no idea what was happening at the scene. They expected certain things, but this was not one of them. It turned out that the house wasn’t truly abandoned after all.
In The Middle Of Digging Holes
Looking Guilty
When approaching the diggers, the officers questioned them as to what they were doing. It’s no surprise that these people began behaving strangely. It was clear that something was terribly off in the situation. The diggers looked to be on edge as if they were trying to hide something. The officers were well familiarized with this look, of course. As soon as they came near the diggers, all their shovels fell to the ground. Even then, the team didn’t fully understand what was going on.
Looking Guilty
Arresting The Suspects
They must have sensed they were in trouble, and so, the diggers all put their hands up in the air in surrender. They saw no point in running away, so they cooperated. Seeing their behavior, the police assumed they were doing something illegal. They apprehended the suspects and managed to get back inside the house to see what they had been trying to hide. Naturally, this meant they all had to face the stench once again.
Arresting The Suspects
Destroyed On The Inside
As they were walking around the house, they took note of the destroyed interior. Everything seemed to be falling apart or crumbling. Cobwebs lined all the windows and ceilings, making rooms look as if they belonged in a haunted house. There was no light. Despite the fact that they already had suspects, the officers haven’t identified where the terrible smell was coming from. And so, they kept looking.
Destroyed On The Inside
The Moving Floor
That was the very moment the entire group discovered something incredible. The floor appeared to be moving in different areas of the house. They were all in shock when they saw this. It wasn’t long before they figured out what was causing the strange phenomenon.
The Moving Floor
Tortoises Filled The Floor
Nearly the entire floor was covered in tortoises. The poor things were packed in together, with no space to move at all. There were so many of them that it looked like the floor was solid with their color. The team couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Tortoises Filled The Floor
Covered In Shells
From the moment she saw them, Randrianjafizanaka knew these weren’t ordinary tortoises. She had a hunch about where they came from. It was difficult to see the floor through all the tortoises in the room. There seemed to be hundreds of them lining the floors.
Covered In Shells