Dear Sir,
Most of us are used to seeing the occasional wild hedgehog or rabbit killed on our roads around Aycliffe but on the 1st July I discovered a slightly more unusual animal on Burnhill Way – a Turtle. This animal, about the size of an adult’s hand had become the latest victim of what is becoming an unwelcome trend in the town.
Over the last 18 months at least five turtles have been recovered from local ponds and water courses in the town. These animals are veracious predators that can decimate many populations of pond animals including the occasional protected species such as the Great Crested Newt. They can also introduce unwanted diseases and bacteria into the water.
People are buying these animals as babies unaware of or unwilling to consider the considerable time, cost and effort it takes to look after them throughout their lifetime. To keep a turtle healthy they should have a heater, UV lighting, a good water filter and an aquarium big enough to give a mature turtle a fair standard of life. Thay can grow as large as a dinner plate so should have a tank about 2 feet by 5 feet minimum.
In general turtles can survive summer outside in the British climate but will often die as a result of cold winter temperatures. By releasing these animals into the waterways the owners are consigning their pets to a slow painful death.
Anyone wishing to purchase one of these fascinating animals should first seriously consider what they are taking on, read about them, question the seller about what exactly they are buying, speak to local animal sanctuary’s who often have a few needing homes.
Please learn about what you want to take on as releasing them into the wild you are not only harming the turtle, but also the wider local environment.
Steve Cooper, Town Council Environment Officer
