General Care Discussion :: Turtle Rescue from a Green Swimming Pool?!

[Jen1004]

Hi all! So I recently adopted a little yellow bellied slider of my very own and he is living peacefully with his goldfish friends in his clean tank.

HOWEVER, this week, I went to a relative's house here in Florida and saw a wild turtle swimming in their abandoned green pool. The water level is still pretty high in the pool, but the water looks very thick and there are two dead frogs floating in it. Since it's a relative's pool and they know I just got a turtle, they were all "if you can catch him, you can rescue him." They have no plans to clean out the pool this year and the ledge is too high for the turtle to get out on his own (he's about 9 inches in length and the pool's ledge is about 12 inches from the water's surface). The only way it can bask is by climbing onto the pool stairs and as the water continues to dry up, I don't think he'll be able to climb onto those much longer. It's also very scared of humans and just dives into the deep end when I come near.

I have also tried feeding it when I go by what I have on hand, including little dried shrimp pieces, bloodworms, and Reptomin floating sticks. I haven't seen it eat while I visit and it's shell looks completely grey/white. He looks like a slider to me, but not 100% sure. I'm just not sure how to go about catching him without hurting him or what to do, really. All suggestions welcome, THANK YOU!

[steve]

There are no pool nets available? How big is the pool? Why won't they drain it?

[Jen1004]

No, they don't have a usable pool net and it won't be drained due to financial issues. I also don't want to intrude too much, since they are family and having a hard time. But I also want to save the poor turtle. You think all I will need is to buy a big enough pool net? There is a pond in their neighborhood, close to the house, actually, so I think that's where I would put him back.

[steve]

That's probably where she/he came from. Does the pond have any maintenance crew? Maybe they have a net or can help out.

[Jen1004]

Nope, not that I could see. I will go buy a large pool net, fish him out, then carefully take him to the pond.

Do you think I need to check out his shell before I release him (for shell rot or any injuries), or would that be too dangerous as far as the handling goes? Do you think he'd bite me out of fear? Thanks for your suggestions

[marie_09]

If you fish him out and wish to examine his shell, I suggest thick leather gloves (like the kind for handling birds) and handle by the middle of the shell/towards the back. He/she should be unable to reach you with his mouth but claws could still potentially be an issue. This is what I have done when moving turtles off the road, including small snappers. If you have no intention on keeping said turtle and wish to release to the wild (which given the size via pictures is probably most advisable) mother nature will take it's course on curing the shell, unless badly injured. At that point, you may be better off contacting a rescue that specializes in reptile care, OR, you could give it a go yourself, but be sure to work with a herp specialist. Nature really does have a marvelous way of cleaning itself up once it's situation is corrected. Good luck and best wishes for the poor turt!

[steve]

I would do a quick check. A local rescue is a good idea, I think they like to jump on those opportunities than the usual "I have 5 RES I can't keep anymore" situation.

He might try to bite depending on what you're doing. Picking up and moving probably won't do it but be careful regardless. Normally I can easily hold a RES with one hand and not be bitten/scratched but a slimy shell will make it difficult.

[Jen1004]

Thank you for all of the suggestions! Going out soon to pick up a sturdy pool net and will post an update of what I was able to do for him or her!