Habitat - Outdoor :: Is it safe to free turtle

[sierrap]

My dad is making me free my slider named spencer. I'm just worried about him? We have a pond, but does anyone have hints on if he will be ok or how I can help with his transition?


Thanks

[JimmyJam]

If you live in the United States, just put it up for adoption at a shelter. If you have no shelter, look for someone who wants a free turtle. If neither of those pan out, and you are still forced to get rid of it check to see if the pond has sliders in it to let it go.

Alot of people will jump on my back for what I just wrote, but I understand your situation, and well herps are born with instincts and will live a fine life just great, BUT MAKE SURE THE POND HAS SLIDERS.

[mat012]

Alot of folks keep turtles in a pond. He should be fine. You may want to put a few guppies in the pond if it is not already stocked. Make sure he has food available and read up on hibernation if he will stay outside all year long. As long as the pond is free of pollutants and has a food supply I would think he would be ok. It is your pond right? You could actually continue to feed him pellets if you dont want fish in the pond. Nutritionally this would be the best for him.

Folks also will put fences or other barriers around a pond so the turtles cant escape. There are pics on this site. Also watch for predators if the turtle is young - birds, cats, dogs, etc. I am not really familiar with all of the set ups, but some have put up barriers too to keep unwanted animals out.

[chrisinva]

where are you from?? put an ad in the paper or craigslist if you have the time to

[marisa]

Welcome. How long have you had him? How big is he (shell length without the curve)?

Why does your dad want you to do this? Pets should not be set free---they've become dependent on their owners for food, are not used to predators, and could transmit diseased to native populations if set free in the wild.

What is the pond you're thinking of putting him into like? How many gallons, how deep is it? Does it have substrate on the bottom? What other creatures or plants are in it?

Where do you live? How cold does it get in the winter months where you are?

[JimmyJam]

I don't like to release animals into the "wild", but I assume he was talking about a pond in a park. I have one nearby, and many people I can tell have let their RES free there. The pond has a bunch of life in it, and the city releases fish year round to keep the cycle going. So if it's a pond such as mine, then I see no reason why it's so bad, the turtle will eat just fine. And for the record there has been no RES population boom, the population has been steady for the past 5-10 years. But again I am not approving the release of pets into ponds like this, but sometimes people have no choice, especially when they don't have control over what the people who supply the roof over their head says.

[megcornell]

I have to disagree with people who are saying it's fine to release animals into the wild.
It is irresponsible on many fronts:
1) The pet could have diseases that wild animals don't have a natural resistance to, or vice versa.
2) PETS are not WILD. They are accustomed to being fed, not to survival. Most importantly PET turtles DO NOT HIBERNATE. Wild turtles do. Most animals cannot just "start" hibernating, they will die.
3) RES tend to be good adapters making them awful additions to wild areas. They can out-compete natives and drive them to local extinction.

Just because you see turtles in a pond doesn't mean your turtle will survive there. For every ten pets that are released, I'd be surprised if one or two actually survive.

Don't be irresponsible. Find a home for your turtle or have it humanely euthanized by a veterinarian. You wouldn't expect a pet dog to survive in the woods, and the same should hold true for a turtle.

[JimmyJam]

Well we all have opinions that differ, so I'll leave this topic alone. I know where I stand when it comes to herps and to some it doesn't go well. I shared my opinion and just because you don't like it you don't need to rip me like that. I can assure you the chances of herps surviving vs. a dog in the wild... A herp would surpass it by far. There are many organizations that breed herps to keep their species stable in the wild, and they feed their herps just like we do and release them with no complications.

Once again, sorry if you disagree with my point so much. But in the future read my post for what it's worth, since I did say to resort to that as a LAST resort. And just as an FYI, some pounds, vets, organizations charge people to euthanize pets, and therefore leave some people with no choice if they cannot find a home for it.

[mat012]

We have a pond, (

I am assuming by this she means it is a pond on their property. If that is the case then I dont believe she is considering a "wild" release. It would be no different than many on the site with outdoor setups and ponds. As long as she is knowledgeable about outdoor care (feeding, hibernation, predators, etc.), I dont see an issue with it. But thats just my humble opinion...

[seanwb]

If you can ensure you RES will stay in and around the pond, and not escape to the wild, then I suggest you seek advice about transition, bearing in mind your location, size of pond etc.

If you are allowing the potential of escaping or putting into a "wild" pond then DON'T DO IT!

My RES was rescued after someone had "released" (I prefer "abandoned") her in a park in London (England).

Whilst I am sure she was abandoned in one of the lakes, she was found well away from any water in a terrible state. I am sure that no one who had seen her when she was close to death would ever consider letting a pet RES go wild.
The person who let her go either did not understand the cruely of their action or did not care.

(Before anyone asks - she is now happily and healthily living in a 300 US gallon indoor pond in my office).

[untsmurf]

I have to agree with Meg on this one. Releasing an animal that you can no longer care for is irresponsible. It's dangerous for your turtle and the surrounding wildlife. If you're releasing into your pond, you still need to care for it. If you're considering releasing it into a wild pond, please don't. Just give the turtle to a shelter or find a responsible keeper to take it.

[JimmyJam]

Just give the turtle to a shelter or find a responsible keeper to take it.

The problem as mentioned above, is that sometimes in real life you are given an ultimatum. With that ultimatum usually comes with a time frame, and with that time frame you can run into alot of snags. Snags such as not able to find a new home for the turtle, the shelter doesn't take exotics, or they charge to put it down.

The following is just a hypothetical but in cases very realistic:

If sierrap didn't have a pond in the backyard nor the money to have it put down what would you suggest him/her to do? Put it in the garbage? Hide it? No, right? He/she would have no choice but to release it into a man-made pond in the park, or simply his/her dad would take care of it his way. His/her dad could have killed it in a non-humane manner, or release the turtle in the mentioned pond.

And again, you guys seem to forget that I said to find a shelter or new home, and only resorting to this if the conditions were well and if there was no other choice since it isn't his/her home meaning he/she doesn't make the ultimatums.

[megcornell]

Jimmyjam, no one is attacking you or your views. People are certainly disagreeing with your point of view, but it's not personal.

I was simply stating that releasing a pet is irresponsible regardless of any complicating factors that go into that decision.

It's clear you stated release as a last resort. Either way, people are entitled to think release is a good or bad idea and to post their opinions and evidence. Don't take it as an attack on you, it's not.

[catmajic13]

I am new to this website but still need some advise. My youngest kid (23) cleans apartments for extra money. Some IDIOT left a RES in a Sonic cup with 1" of water. The poor baby is the size of 1/2 dollar. Don't know how long it's been in the cup and was considering releasing it back to the wild. I know a creek that no one would bother it, but not sure if there are more RES there. Any help would be appreciated. I have a hard time keeping "wild" things as pets, I don't think that is right, but have a 10 gallon tank if I need it to save this baby. Thanks.

[megcornell]

Where are you located? Are you in an area where RES are native?

Most hatchlings are store bought and therefore shouldn't be released into the wild. Especially this time of year. The weather is cooling, and he wouldn't have a fair shot to prepare for hibernation. I'd say there's a very good chance a hatchling wouldn't make it if released in fall.

I'd keep him at least through the winter. If you really think he's wild, then feed him a wild diet (meaning things like feeder fish to help his hunting skills, and natural pond plants) and don't interact with him. Give him time to grow and release him next summer when he has a fair shot.