Habitat - Outdoor :: turtle wandering into danger

[emread]

My problem is a turtle that persists in climbing out of the outdoor pond and meandering into a part of the yard occupied by several dogs, one of which has a strong prey drive.

Our outdoor pond in LA area is 2200 gal. In addition to approx. 20 fish (goldfish, shubunkin & koi, from 2" to 10") and about a million misquito fish we have two turtles - about 5" & 7". Both came from people who didn't want them any more; I know nothing of their history. We've had them a couple years.

A recently-rescued foster dog is obsessed with them. After she caught and killed a 4" turtle we put an electric wire around the pond to keep her from wading into the water after the others. But the turtles (especially the 5" one) keep crawling out of the pond, over the rocks, under the electric wire, and into the grassy area. It does this several times daily. So far we've been able to rescue it in time but I truly fear for its safety.

Why does the turtle do this? I only feed every other day or so; the theory is that in a "balanced" pond the turtles (and fish) can subsist on what is naturally available by way of plants, algae and - I WISH - misquito fish. If I fed the turtles more often would they stay in the pond?
I am really worried. My main love is the dogs, but I don't want any creature in my care to be hurt. Please advise!
emr

[scottpkura]

If your rocks are in formation that a turtle can climb over they can escape. RES are great climbers, and known escape artists. It's a living creature, they are naturally curious and enjoy being out of water. Using what you have, try to make it harder for them to climb over. either making a surrounding more vertical, or make it so the barrier is harder to get OVER. Check out some of the other ponds, there's some pretty neat barriers that might inspire you.

[emread]

Thanks, Scott. After another scare we bit the bullet and put vertical 2x6s between the rocks on the pond edges and the redwood walkway on two sides of the pond. The good news is that it worked; Ike hasn't left the pond since. The bad news is that what was intended to be a seamessly integrated stream/waterfall/pond running across our yard to disappear under the deck now looks more like Alcatraz than Walden ... Oh well, hopefully Emma (the turtle-obsessed foster Pit) will get a home soon and the remaining dogs can resume drinking out of the pond from the deck.
Thanks again for the advice,
emr

[SuNicDa]

Can you please post some pictures? it sounds like a cool pond and yard