There you are driving down the road, and you suddenly spot a turtle desperately trying to cross the road. How can you help the little fella reach his destination safely? Read on…
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Sadly, many turtles lose their lives each year due to unobservant drivers who don’t see them crossing the road in time. People are sometimes reluctant to come to the rescue, especially with large snapping turtles, because they are afraid of being bitten. This is very unlikely. There are simple ways to move a turtle, even a large snapping turtle, without having to sacrifice a finger or two. Follow these easy steps to save a turtle’s life.
Pull Over Safely
Although this sounds like a no-brainer, you’d be surprised by the number of people who slam on the breaks and rush to the rescue of a turtle crossing the road without taking heed of the traffic around them. Nothing could be more dangerous for you, the turtle, and other drivers in the vicinity. Pull your car safely off the road, turn on your hazards, and wait until it is safe to exit your vehicle.
Handling a Turtle
You will want to be quick about moving a turtle. Use both hands and firmly lift the turtle up by its shell in the area between its front and back legs. Be careful and do not drop them. Move the turtle across the road in the direction they were already heading. If you take him back to where he came from, he will just try to cross the road again. If it is a large snapping turtle, which can be quite heavy, use an object to push it across the road. Never EVER pick them up by their tails. Place him off the road on the other side. Again, make sure to take him in the direction he was heading.
Check the Turtle Over
Before you leave the turtle to go about his business, check his shell to ensure there are no cracks from being hit or run over. If the turtle is injured, you will need to call a wildlife rehabilitator and get treatment for the turtle. Otherwise, leave him to go about his day if the turtle is fine.
Wildlife Hero
You are making a difference every time you are able to help a turtle in need. Make sure to give yourself a pat on the back for being a wildlife protector.