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DEC Urges New York Drivers to 'Give Turtles a Brake'
Published: May 21, 2024 at
07:30 p.m.
By: Press Release from NYS DEC
DEC Urges New York Drivers to 'Give Turtles a Brake'
Each May and June, Motorists Advised to be on
the Alert for Turtles Crossing Roads
World Turtle Day is May 23
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean
Mahar today reminded New Yorkers that turtles are nesting in May and June
and encouraged motorists to ‘give turtles a brake.’ In New York,
thousands of turtles are killed each year by unsuspecting drivers when
turtles cross roads to find nesting areas.
“Vehicle strikes
are a major cause of mortality among turtles and at this time of year,
turtles are particularly vulnerable as they seek sandy areas or loose soil
in which to lay their eggs," Interim Commissioner Mahar said. "When
travelling on roads near rivers and marshy areas, DEC encourages
drivers on New York roads to slow down and keep a lookout for turtles in
our communities.”
Drivers who see a
turtle on the road are encouraged to slow down to avoid hitting it with
their vehicle. If the vehicle can safely stop and drivers are able to
safely do so, motorists should consider moving the turtle to the shoulder
on the side of the road in the direction it was facing. Motorists are
advised not to pick turtles up by their tails,
which could injure the turtle. Most turtles, other than snapping turtles,
can be picked up safely by the sides of their shells. Snapping turtles have
necks that can reach far back and have a strong bite, and
should be picked up by the rear of the shell near the tail using both
hands, or dragged safely across the road on a mat or blanket. Never
drag turtles by the tail as doing so can dislocate the tail bones.
A licensed
wildlife rehabilitator may be able to help if an injured turtle is found.
DEC reminds
people not to take turtles home. All native turtles are protected by law
and cannot be kept without a DEC permit. Most of the 11 species of land
turtles that are native to New York are in decline. Turtles are long-lived species and it takes
many years for a turtle to reach maturity. Losing even one mature female
can have a negative impact on a local population. Learn more about New York's native turtles on
DEC's website.
DEC recognizes
May 23 as World Turtle Day®. American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a
not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection of all species of
tortoise and turtle, created World Turtle Day® to celebrate
and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around
the world. These gentle animals have been around for 200 million years, yet
are rapidly disappearing due to smuggling, the exotic food industry,
climate change, loss of habitat, and the illegal pet trade.
Follow @NYSDEC's
social media accounts on May 23 for more information about turtles in the
state.
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