According to Sean Mahar, interim commissioner of the state department of environmental conservation, thousands of turtles are killed annually by careless drivers when they cross roadways in search of nesting grounds.
“Car strikes are a major cause of mortality among turtles, and turtles are particularly vulnerable at this time of year as they seek out sandy areas or loose soil to lay their eggs,” the speaker stated.
The DEC advises drivers on New York highways to slow down and scan the surroundings for turtles while they are driving near rivers and marshlands.
When a driver notices a turtle on the road, they should slow down to prevent running it over with their car.
Drivers should think about passing on the turtle to the shoulder on the side of the road that faces the way it was facing if the car can stop safely and they are able to do so.
It is recommended that drivers avoid picking up turtles by their tails since this may cause harm to the turtle.
With the possible exception of snapping turtles, most tortoises are safe to handle by the sides of their shells.
With their powerful bite and long necks, snapping turtles should be carefully carried across the road on a mat or blanket, or lifted up by the back of the shell close to the tail with both hands.
A turtle’s tail bones might become dislocated if it is ever pulled by its tail.
If a turtle is found injured, a qualified wildlife rehabilitator might be able to assist. DEC warns against bringing turtles home.
Laws protect all native turtles, and keeping them without a DEC permit is prohibited. There is a reduction in the majority of the 11 native species of land turtles in New York.
Given their lengthy lifespans, turtles require many years to reach adulthood. A community population may suffer if even one mature female disappears.