It’s that time of year again. Turtles are on the move, and they often move into danger. Sometimes, though, they hit it lucky. Last week I saw a large snapper quickly cross a road on her own along my favorite bike route. Safe and sound. And a few days ago, I got a letter from Shawn Orbanic, who also keeps his eyes open for turtles. Here’s what he has to say:

Out on a bike ride this morning I came across this little lady putting down her eggs not two feet from the berm of the road:

She had crawled out of a local stream about 100 feet behind her, so hopefully in three months the babies will go that way! I ride this route pretty regularly, so I’ll be on the lookout come the end of August.

Last year Shawn gave 17 hatchling snapping turtles a new lease on life when he gathered them off a parking lot and carried them to a river only yards away. Some of their siblings had already been crushed by drivers in so great a hurry to get to work that they didn’t notice they were parking on small turtles. With luck, this year’s hatchlings will find their own way to the river, and if their directions are off, Shawn will be there to give them a lift.

So how about you? Have you helped a turtle this season? Send us a picture and your story and we’ll post the turtle’s portrait in the Outside Turtle Gallery.

If you’re someone who would like to help turtles but don’t know how, read our tips in “Help Turtles Cross Roads.” And you can print out our Quick Guide for Turtle Taxis, which shows how to safely lift and transport turtles to the other side of the road. Print our one-page guide and carry it with you. Better yet, print out several and hand them around to your friends! The turtles will thank you, each and every one of them.

 
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