Snapping Turtles, Abandoned Fawns Spotted Around New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — Snapping turtles and abandoned fawns have been spotted around New Canaan, however neither sighting is out of the ordinary, according to a town Animal Control officer.

In an email Monday, Allyson Halm said female turtles will leave their pond every spring, travel a distance to lay their eggs, then return to their pond.

"We receive daily [and] weekly calls," Halm said, "about these prehistoric creatures crossing busy roads, falling into window wells, ending up in pools, etc., while on their journey...they can show up almost anywhere in town."

Halm said one turtle was killed by a car on Pocconock Trail last week. In light of this, she noted Animal Control will assist snapping turtles in town when necessary.

"We encourage residence to leave them alone and let them accomplish their goal," Halm said. "Please do not relocate them or even turn them around. They know what they are doing, albeit sometimes inconvenient for us."

This time of year, Animal Control will also receive numerous calls about abandoned fawns in town, however most of these babies are not actually abandoned, Halm said.

According to Halm, a mother deer will often leave their young alone for up to eight hours.

"The fawns are hard wired to lay still until mom returns," Halm said. "Please do not disturb a fawn laying alone. It is normal."