23 Turtles Make Teatown their Temporary Home

Teatown Lake Reservation is serving as the foster home to 23 adult snapping turtles that were rescued from a Chinatown food market last week. 

The 875-acre nature preserve in Ossining took in the turtles, which range from 10 to 30 pounds, on Thursday. They are being cared for by Teatown’s Animal Care staffers Erin Baker and Lisa Kelly, who are licensed New York State wildlife rehabilitators.

“The smallest of the group are the size of a dinner plate and about one third of them are easily the size of a Thanksgiving turkey platter,” said Baker. “As wildlife rehabilitators, it is our job not just to ensure the individual animal's health, but to also consider any impacts to the wild population if released.” 

When the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officers Timothy Machnica and Brent Wilson rescued the turtles they found that some of them, which were illegally purchased by the food market, were dehydrated with minor wounds and kept in unpleasant conditions. When the snapping turtles are deemed healthy they will determine proper release sites for them in order to prevent overpopulation in a particular pond. 

“It will be a large number of road trips throughout the region undoubtedly,” said Baker. 

New York State Law protects all New York native species of turtles from being taken from the wild, sold, or possessed without a permit. Baker and Kelly, who are licensed volunteers, use their own time and funds to care for injured and sick wildlife. 

“Most species of turtles worldwide are in a state of decline due to overharvesting and habitat loss and I am glad that our DEC enforces the law to protect all native turtles,” said Baker. “While considered common, and intimidating by some, these large prehistoric snappers are quite docile in their ponds where they help provide a proper balance to our ecosystems.  And, they are, after all, our New York state reptile.”   

Those who are interested in becoming a licensed wildlife rehabilitator visit www.nyswrc.org.