If you see a turtle this spring, don't pick it up.That's the message from local wildlife officials from the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.While turtles are cute and mostly friendly, Fish and Wildlife says you should never keep a native turtle as a pet. Not only is it illegal, but doing so can actually cause harm to wild turtle populations. Experts say adult turtles know their environment well, and moving them can cause them to roam long distances, increasing their chances of being hit by a car.Taking a turtle home and releasing it also has the potential of exposing other wild turtles to diseases.Fish and Wildlife says if you see some of Vermont's native turtles in the wild, you can take a photo of them, but to leave the animal itself alone.You can find more information on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website.
If you see a turtle this spring, don't pick it up.
That's the message from local wildlife officials from the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.
While turtles are cute and mostly friendly, Fish and Wildlife says you should never keep a native turtle as a pet. Not only is it illegal, but doing so can actually cause harm to wild turtle populations.
Experts say adult turtles know their environment well, and moving them can cause them to roam long distances, increasing their chances of being hit by a car.
Taking a turtle home and releasing it also has the potential of exposing other wild turtles to diseases.
Fish and Wildlife says if you see some of Vermont's native turtles in the wild, you can take a photo of them, but to leave the animal itself alone.
You can find more information on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website.
