Repairing a reptile

Blue plastic shielding and caution tape makes the Testudo statue outside of McKeldin Mall look more like a crime scene than a pinnacle of good luck.

"I thought that someone killed him or took him away," senior sociology major Henry Ramirez said. "I thought Duke was in the house."

But have no fear for the turtle: The statue, where students have long paid their respects, has not been damaged or stolen. Since yesterday, his limestone perch has been undergoing repair for a minor crack.

The restoration, which costs approximately $2,000, should be completed by the end of the week if the weather cooperates,  Associate Director of Facilities Management Laura Wildesen said.

During the repair, Testudo will be sporting tarp and tape to ensure  he is not hurt while construction is underway.

In the mean time, students looking for some turtle tenderness and much-needed good luck on exams, papers and first dates have been rubbing up on other Testudos around the campus.

"Testudo used to be on my way to philosophy class, so I would rub his nose every day," freshman computer science major Joey Sakla said. "Now, I have to get up earlier and walk to Stamp to rub his nose."

The turtle everyone loves to touch will also be getting a chemical cleaning while the pedestal is under construction.

"I'm glad he's under construction," senior economics major Carlos Arismendi said. "That turtle was dirty. He needs to get cleaned."

For the next week, senior microbiology major Ellie Rahgozar will have Testudo in her thoughts and prayers until he has made a full recovery.

"I can't breathe," Rahgozar said. "When Testudo is suffocating, we're all suffocating."

hemmati at umdbk dot com