American Tortoise Rescue “Drowning” in Water Turtles
Malibu, CA – June 23, 2014 -- American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) is “drowning” in requests to rehome abandoned water turtles, most commonly red eared slider turtles. ATR is asking pond owners in all 50 states who would like to have turtles to step forward and offer their ponds as forever homes for these gentle creatures.
Red eared sliders, easily identifiable because of the red stripe next to their eyes, are the most common turtles given up for adoption. While they are non-native in certain states like California and Oregon, they enter the adoption system from impulse buys at pet stores, foreclosed real estate, animal shelters, the Asian live food markets, mercadoes and reptile shows. Some are illegally given as prizes at carnivals. The popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles caused thousands of kids to want turtles, but sadly the children quickly lose interest when the new pets don’t fly or jump through the air, so many suffer neglect or abandonment.
Susan Tellem, who founded the nonprofit 24 years ago with her husband Marshall Thompson, says the best situation for sliders is a private pond, real or artificial. Turtles can live comfortably with koi and eat the same food. Some people use plastic horse troughs or baby swimming pools, but the sides have to be high enough so that the turtles cannot escape, and they need to be protected from predators like raccoons with electric fencing or some other barrier.
Because turtles can live 25 years or more, adoption is a true commitment. Tellem says, “Out rescue sliders have names and are very personable. It’s wonderful to see them basking in the summer sun.” During the winter, turtles hibernate under water for four or five months even under iced over ponds, so no feeding is necessary making them easy to care for.
“We recommend homes without small children and dogs,” says Tellem. “Children forget to wash their hands, and turtles can carry bacteria. Schools are an absolute no for this reason.” Tellem says that dogs think turtles are chew toys, sometimes leading to painful and debilitating injuries or even death of the turtles.
“People still get tiny green turtles in a plastic carrying case with an artificial palm tree at street fairs, pet stores and as prizes at events,” said Tellem “Unfortunately, no one tells the potential owner that these turtles grow to be anywhere from six to 12 inches long and live long lives, instead of staying that cute little quarter size.” She estimates that about 80 percent die within a year because buyers are not given proper care instructions by sellers.
For the past 40 years, it’s been illegal to sell turtles of any kind anywhere in the U.S. if they are under four inches long, a law that has been largely ignored. The law was enacted to prevent children from putting tiny turtles in their mouths and exposing themselves to salmonella, which many of the turtles carry. Further, in some places like Los Angeles, buyers are also fined for purchasing the illegal turtles. They are sold illegally in places like Santee Street in downtown Los Angeles, but ATR along with other groups have been working hard to have sellers arrested. In addition, ATR has worked for more than 17 years to ban the importation of red eared sliders into the Asian live food markets because they often end up being purchased by good hearted people trying to “save” them. The California Fish & Wildlife Commission has failed consistently to enact a ban which resulted in the death of many California native pond turtles.
To offer your private pond as a new home, contact ATR at info@tortoise.com or follow on twitter @tortoiserescue and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AmericanTortoiseRescue where turtles and tortoises are showcased for adoption.
Media contact
Susan Tellem, RN, BSN
Not a public number – media calls only: 310-613-3504
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