Turtle Relocation - Status Update Week 3 (Oct. 1 - 5)

Week 3 - Day 1: After a disappointing week of not finding any turtles, spirits were low heading into the third week. That is why we were pleasantly surprised to find turtle tracks in the muck at the north pond. This was a good sign of what was to come. By the end of the day we had caught and relocated 4 turtles! (One large female, two males and one juvenile-all painted turtles). Interestingly enough, there were no turtles in our nets. Instead, they were spotted basking and swimming in both the north and south ponds. Special thanks goes to our super volunteer Sean Zera for wading through the muck and algae in order to rescue these turtles.

Week 3 - Day 2: The second day was almost as eventful as the first! The dynamic duo of David Mifsud and Sean Zera spotted a green frog and another juvenile painted turtle, however both herptiles managed to get away. We also heard a spring peeper calling near the south pond. But   the star of the day was a male snapping turtle that David Mifsud found in the marshy area next to the south pond.  

Week 3 - Day 3: Nothing to report today. Cooler temperatures must have scared the turtles away ...Hoping for better luck tomorrow!

Week 3 - Day 4: NAP's intern, Josh Goldman, found a female snapper in one of our traps at the south pond. Sean Zera bravely wrestled her out of the net-she was a feisty one! Her estimated age is 40 years and she weighs about 20 pounds. In addition, Sean Zera and David Mifsud rescued a beautiful female Butler's garter snake that was trying to cross Traver Road.