Community Corner
Marlboro Museum Wants To Get Turtle New Digs; Family Pledges Help
The museum wants the tank so Basil, a 12-pound snapping turtle who was raised illegally as a pet, to swim freely once he's fully grown.
MARLBORO, VT — Basil the friendly snapping turtle was illegally raised as a pet and sent to the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum in Marlboro five years ago. Now, the museum hopes Santa Claus will bring him a new tank for Christmas, and a local family is trying to make that happen.
Michael Clough, assistant director at the museum, said last week they're trying to raise $5,500 for a custom-made tank. The museum has raised $4,000 of its goal, and a local family has pledged to match all donations dollar for dollar to get Basil new digs, he told The Bennington Banner.
The family wanted to remain anonymous.
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Snapping turtles are known for their vicious bite, but the 12-pound Basil isn't scared of humans or dogs. The museum plans for the tank to allow Basil to swim freely once he's fully grown.