Embattled CT Turtles Need Our Help to Survive

Spring is here and turtles are emerging from their deep winter freeze. Do you see them? They are trying to cross the roads, they're in the grass, and under that pile of leaves. But they're also in decline.

Connecticut is home to eight native turtle species. Five of them are endangered or threatened. The other three species are rapidly declining in population. Having managed to survive over 300 million years on this planet, turtles don’t stand a chance against our zooming cars and roaring machines. Our homes and businesses are being built over their habitats, too. We’re losing wetlands at three times the rate of forests.

Turtles take an extraordinary amount of time to reach sexual maturity. Many take 10-20 years to breed. The chances of a turtle surviving in our industrialized world that long are getting smaller every year. And every female lost in the road trying to find a spot to lay her eggs is a hit against their future.

By simply taking extra precaution to look on the roads when we are driving or when we are mowing, you will see that, between May and September, turtles are everywhere.

They are out to lay eggs, to find mates, or because their home has been disturbed by factors such as construction or drought. If we look a little harder in the crucial months, we can help them cross safely or get them help if they’re injured.

We are also fortunate to have a resource to help turtles. A 501(c)3 nonprofit called The Turtle’s Back is run by Pam Meier in Madison. There, she rehabilitates about 100 turtles a year that are brought to her by people who took the time to care.

I met Meier two years ago when I found a painted turtle that was hit in the road and brought it to her. I had no idea about the plight of Connecticut’s native turtles. My eyes were forever opened talking with her.

At The Turtle’s Back, there are turtle tanks everywhere along with some large enclosures outside. Each turtle is recovering from being hit by a car, mauled by landscaping equipment, or even bitten by dogs who thought they were rocks.

She has a special system of binding the turtle’s shell back together so it heals - just like our bones do. Injured turtles stay with her for at least three months, then she takes them back to where they were found, usually locating a safe pond or forest in the area using Google maps. She has species healing that some of us may never see in the wild like spotted and wood turtles.

If you find an injured turtle, don’t leave it behind. Take it with you and call or text The Turtle’s Back at 203-903-2708 for help. If you feel inclined, you can visit their website and donate to fund the important work they are doing. It’s a great resource for identifying and helping native turtles.

The Turtle’s Back Facebook page is informative for what’s happening "on the ground" during turtle season; every case is different, and there’s always something to learn. Meier sometimes needs volunteer help, which is a great opportunity for young people with a genuine interest in wildlife who don’t mind hard, sometimes tedious work.

Here are some additional facts to remember if you encounter a turtle:

• If you see a turtle trying to cross the road, please help it. Be safe and put on your hazard lights. Gently pick it up, keeping it low to the ground to prevent the risk of dropping it. Place it on the side of the road in the direction it is heading. Wait to make sure it keeps going in that direction before you leave.

• No matter how minor or serious the injury, every injured turtle needs medical help. Even small cracks in a shell can kill a turtle: flies will lay eggs in the crack and it will die a slow death from a maggot infestation. Keep the turtle protected from flies in transport.

• Snapping turtles seem scary but are not difficult to help. Coax the turtle onto a car mat or towel and drag it across the road, or throw a towel, blanket or shirt over the turtle to protect your hands from its claws and pick it up between its front and back legs, holding it down away from your face. Don’t worry, their necks can’t reach that far back. Never pick a snapping turtle up by the tail; you could hurt their spine.

• If you find a turtle that has been hit by a car and seems dead, don’t assume it is (unless it’s an old, dried out carcass). Not only do turtles take a long time to die, but chances are that it’s carrying eggs that can be saved and incubated. Call an experienced turtle rehabber for help.

• Most veterinarians have little or no training with turtles but may admit them anyway, resulting in improper treatment and unnecessary euthanasia. Seek help from a rehabilitator who has extensive turtle experience first; they are capable of handling most issues and will take the animal to a trusted turtle vet, if need be.

• Never take a turtle from the wild as a pet. Every turtle removed from the wild decreases the chance of their species survival, and it is illegal to keep native wildlife. Wild animals belong in the wild.

• Never relocate a turtle. They have homes and need to remain with their breeding populations, and some, like the Eastern box turtle, will try to find their way back, an incredibly dangerous journey. If you feel the area is unsafe, contact a licensed rehabilitator for help.

• Leave your brush and leaf piles in the yard over the winter, if you can, and try not to disturb them in the fall and spring. Some turtles, like the threatened Eastern box turtle, will hibernate under them.

• If you’re heading to Hammonasset (or any coastal area) in June/July, watch out for diamondback terrapins trying to cross the road. These medium-sized, endangered marine turtles appear on shoreline roads when they are out looking for nesting spots. They are often hit by motorists in the park.

With a little thoughtfulness, we can help these living dinosaurs survive in our modern world!