Firefighters in Monona, Wisconsin, rescued a turtle from a storm drain on Friday after a group of children alerted authorities. The kids were riding bikes near the Monona pool when they spotted the turtle at the bottom of the drain, flipped onto its back. It could not get out on its own, according to WMTV.
Kaylee Herfell said her daughter and some friends were the ones who found it. One of the children poured water on the turtle to keep it cool in the meantime. Herfell’s daughter and her friends rode to the police station to report it.
The fire department was dispatched to the scene. A firefighter reached into the drain and lifted the turtle out. The turtle was then returned to a nearby pond and released back into the water.
Turtle rescues become more common in late spring and early summer, which is nesting season across Wisconsin and much of the country. Turtles that are usually out of sight start showing up on the move, and they often end up somewhere they did not intend to go. Roads, yards, and storm drains can all become hazards for them this time of year.
Why Are Turtles on the Move Right Now?
Late May through early July is nesting season for turtles in Wisconsin. The state is home to 11 native turtle species. As the weather warms, female turtles leave the water and travel to find open, sandy ground where they can dig nests and lay their eggs. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says some travel surprising distances and return to the same spots year after year.
Nesting season is also the most dangerous time of year for turtles. Being struck by vehicles on roads is a leading cause of turtle decline across Wisconsin, the DNR says. Turtles can also fall into storm drains, window wells, and other spots they cannot climb out of. Because turtles grow slowly and take years to reach breeding age, the loss of even one mature female can set back a local population.
What Should You Do If You Find a Turtle in Trouble?
If you come across a turtle crossing a road, the simplest help is to slow down and let it finish crossing on its own. If you do need to move one out of danger, and it is safe for you to do so, keep it pointed in the direction it was already heading. Do not turn it around or carry it off to a “better” spot. Turtles have a strong homing instinct and will often try to return, which puts them right back in danger.
Small turtles can be picked up gently by both sides of the shell, just behind the front legs. Snapping turtles are heavier and can bite. It is safer to nudge one along with a car mat or a flat shovel, and never to lift a turtle by its tail. If you find a turtle trapped somewhere it cannot get out, such as a drain or a window well, and you cannot safely free it, your local non-emergency police line, animal control, or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator can help.
The Wisconsin DNR also asks residents to report turtle sightings to its turtle conservation program.