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DEC Reminds New Yorkers to "Give Turtles a
Brake"
Published: May 22, 2026 at
03:15 p.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
DEC Reminds New Yorkers to "Give Turtles a
Brake"
Thousands of Migrating Turtles Are Killed Each Year
When Struck by Vehicles
World Turtle Day Celebrated May 23
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton
today reminded New Yorkers that turtles are nesting in May and June
and encouraged motorists to “Give Turtles a Brake.” Turtles are often
spotted on or near roads this time of year as they search for sandy areas
or loose soils to lay their eggs. In New York State, thousands of turtles
are killed each year by unsuspecting drivers while turtles are crossing
roads to find nesting areas.
“Vehicle strikes
are a major cause of turtle mortality this time of year, so DEC is asking
drivers to be cautious, be on the lookout, and slow down, especially on
roads near rivers and marshy areas,” said Commissioner Lefton. “New
Yorkers can ‘Give Turtles a Brake’ and do their part to help protect these
long-lived species.”
Drivers who see a
turtle on the road are encouraged to slow down to avoid hitting it. If the
driver can safely stop and exit the vehicle, 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 up or drag turtles by their tails because they can injure the turtle. Most
turtles, other than snapping turtles, can be picked up safely by the sides
of their shells. It is important to maintain a secure grip as turtles may kick
to loosen your hold and dropping them can result in potential injury.
Snapping turtles
require special care when handling—They have long necks that can snap back
and inflict a strong bite if held by the sides. Instead, snapping turtles
should be picked up by the rear of the shell using both hands or
carefully slid onto a mat or blanket and dragged safely across the road.
Watch a video of how to help a
snapping turtle cross the road.
DEC reminds
people not to take turtles home. All native turtles are protected by law
and cannot be kept without a DEC permit for specific purposes and never as
pets. Most of the 11 species of land turtles that are native to New York
are in decline. It takes many years for a turtle to reach maturity. Losing
even one mature female can have a negative impact on a local population.
A licensed wildlife rehabilitator may be able to
help if an injured turtle is found. Learn more about New York's native turtles on
DEC's website.
DEC conserves
turtles through New York State using funding from donations to Return a Gift to Wildlife (a State tax check-off)
and federal grants through the State Wildlife Grant Program. Projects have
included nest site creation and protection for Blanding’s turtles, habitat restoration for bog turtles and mud turtles, support for the 24-hour New York State sea
turtle stranding hotline, and health monitoring of all native turtle
species in New York.
On May 23, DEC
joins in honoring World Turtle Day, an internationally acknowledged day
that celebrates all turtles and raises awareness about the threats they
face. During this time, DEC actively engages the public through outreach
and local events and continues to encourage New
Yorker’s “Give Turtles a Brake.”
Follow @NYSDEC on
social media the week of June 8 for more information about New York’s
turtles during wild turtle week.
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