Slow and steady wins the race, even one that takes 10 years to move 45 miles

An older juvenile northern map turtle rests on a log. JAMES HARDING
An older juvenile northern map turtle rests on a log. JAMES HARDING

LANSING

The turtles had a long journey ahead.

They fought for 45 miles against the strong Kalamazoo River current. They left the river and walked up and over a dam blocking their path. They traversed water so shallow their shells likely stuck out of it.

The destination? Their home 10 years earlier until the 2010 Kalamazoo River oil spill near Marshall wiped it out.

In July 2010, one of the largest U.S…