Turtles On The Move On Roadways: 'They're So Vulnerable'

JAMESPORT, NY — Just as scores head to the East End during the summer season, turtles are also on the move, searching for mates — and animal advocates are urging motorists to keep an eye out to protect the reptiles.

Karen Testa, executive director and president of Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons, a non-profit organization in Jamesport, said from April until July, thousands of turtles across Long Island search for a protective place where they can mate and nest, often crossing roads and being badly hurt or killed. Testa urged drivers to be on the lookout for turtles when they see “Turtle Crossing” signs.

The thousands of land and aquatic turtles are coming out of their winter hibernation — an instinctive behavior which protects them until spring, Testa said.

“I’m urging everyone to be very aware of turtles when you’re driving. They’re so vulnerable this time of year as their natural instinct is to do what they’ve done for millions of years — regardless of roads — and that is to find a mate,” said Testa.

Many roads on both the North and South Forks are turtle crossings, and drivers should slow down on roads near wooded areas or wetlands where turtles are active, Testa said.

At Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons, 44 turtles are in an outside sanctuary; they cannot be released into the wild because of "debilitating" injuries, Testa said. They include eastern box turtles, or Terrapene carolina, common snapping turtles, or Chelydra serpentina, and diamondback terrapins, or Malaclemys terrapin, Testa said.

“We weigh our turtles and record statistics about their health so we can keep track of their health before and after hibernation," Testa said.

Homeowners mowing their lawns are also asked to be careful that they don’t run over turtles.

"We’ve also seen dogs attack turtles, so please keep an eye on your pets as they can cause significant damage to turtles,” Testa said.

In addition to the turtles living on her property, Testa feeds and provides medication for an additional 95 turtles cared for at Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons, she said.

Testa feeds and rehabilitates about 190 turtles every year; many are brought to her by people who find turtles injured by cars, animals, or boats. Turtles around the world are threatened and are one of the most highly endangered groups of organisms, she said.