One of the most important space flights ever was Zond 5. Soviets sent the first Earthlings around the Moon and back. They were tortoises.

Did the Soviets let these heroic chelonians retire in grace? No, they were euthanised and dissected. I’m sure they could have gotten the scientific data they needed with less invasive methods.

All astronauts should rescue all space turtles and tortoises they see!