Releasing Baby Snappers: The Turtles Of Western Highway

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Snapping turtles have been laying their eggs at the edge of the Hackensack River for a very long time. And they cross Western Highway in West Nyack and Blauvelt NY to do it. Clarkstown and Orangetown police every year place signs urging motorists to drive with caution, and people who care formed The Turtles of Western Highway and volunteered each year to help control traffic when turtles were crossing over.

Then three years ago the turtle support group got another brilliant idea: release some baby snappers into the wild in the fall.

This year, some of those babies are very special to the group. This past year, no turtles died on Western Highway, and some babies were rescued. One mama turtle died in the road near the Palisades Center, but her eggs were incubated and 24 of them will be in the release group.

Actually, the reason no turtles died may well be because of the group's collaboration SUEZ for a fencing project.

Why care about snapping turtles? Aside from being amazing prehistoric reptiles, they are useful. They keep the eco-balance in the natural wetlands in Rockland, which help keep the drinking water system safe.

PHOTO: Orangetown Town Supervisor Andy Stewart/ Turtles of Western Highway