36 Turtles Die On Long Island Roads In 1 Week: 'Carnage'

NORTH FORK, NY — Turtles are dying at an alarming rate on Long Island: Just last week, 36 turtles were killed by motorists on North Fork roads, said Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons founder Karen Testa.

The 36 turtles were found dead or had to be euthanized because of traumatic injuries, she said.

"Turtles are just waking up from six months of hibernation right now. They need to get their first meal and lay their eggs. But once they’re on the move, they’re being hit by cars, many with their eggs exposed," she said.

Several of the 36 turtles had lived for 40 years, making their same pathway to nest for years, Testa said.

The most dangerous roads for turtle crossings are locations where there are wetlands on either side of the road. On the North Fork, Chapel Road in Greenport is a deadly road for turtles, as are Osborne Avenue and Middle Road in Riverhead — and County Road 51, she said.

Other turtles died after they were hit by lawnmowers or weed wackers, she said.

Last year, there weren’t as many fatalities, " probably half what we just experienced," Testa said. "This has been the worst week ever for turtles since 2012. In one day, we lost 10 turtles. These are the ones that we got calls on. There are probably many more dead."

Testa believes that because of rapid development on the North Fork, there are fewer wooded areas for turtles to nest, reproduce and survive.

Turtle Rescue team members were able to gather the eggs from some of the deceased turtles, but with so many being hit by vehicles, the non-profit is overwhelmed.

"We rely on donations to do what we do. We don’t get any government assistance and right now we’re working seven days a week through holidays to save our turtles," Testa said.

The "turtle carnage" is taking place, Testa says, because people are driving too fast and don’t see the turtles trying to cross the road. "People need to slow down and respect wildlife. We recently put up several turtle crossing signs in an effort to make people aware that this time of year turtles are on the move."

Since January, Turtle Rescue has been caring for 53 turtles, with hopes of releasing them.

Turtle Rescue, located on Manor Lane in Jamesport, is the only full facility turtle hospital in New York State.

Speaking with Patch, Testa reflected on the emotions involved in seeing so many turtle fatalities. "I'm very disappointed in the human race — to not care about living, small creatures we share the earth with."

If someone hits a turtle, Testa urged them to stop. "Please care about the environment of your planet, that needs help. To turn your back on the innocent, needy creatures on earth, who are less fortunate, is being extremely selfish. I'm disappointed to be part of the human race that doesn’t care about our planet's future."

She added that motorists should be aware of animals crossing the road at all times, most importantly spring and fall morning and late in the day.

"They just want to survive and raise their families like you and I — please be considerate.. Raise awareness. And help when you can," she said.

Also, Testa has warned in the past, just because a turtle's shell is cracked when he's lying broken on the road, doesn't mean he's dead.

The Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons has set out to educate the public on how to help turtles who may have been hit on the road. A social media post in recent years, "I am not dead. Please help me get help ASAP," has spread widely, with many reaching out to share.

Testa said the time is now to start looking out for the diapsids on busy roads.

Around May 1, turtles who have been in hibernation come out slowly and begin to sun themselves.

Turtles, she said, are cold-blooded animals and cannot move unless they are at optimal temperature; unlike humans and all mammals, they cannot self-regulate their body temperatures and must receive heat from an exterior source. Without heat, their blood doesn't circulate and they can't digest, she said.

Turtles, Testa said, are mighty and majestic — they have survived 220 million years and have been on the earth since there were dinosaurs.

"They're amazing creatures," she said.

At the end of April, female turtles, both water and terrestrial, begin to look for nesting sites.

"That's why they are roaming around, looking for the ideal spot. Sometimes it takes hours," she said.

Turtles feel with their back legs whether soil has drainage because they don't want the babies in the nest to drown, should there be rain, Testa said.

But despite their innate intelligence, turtles, she said, "are not smart enough to know that roads are there. They were here before the roads, so roads don't compute. There were no roads 220 billion years ago."

To that end, turtles are often struck by cars on the road. Each year, Testa said, many turtles are brought to the Jamesport facility, with about 95 percent rehabilitated and set free. Some who are blind or have lost shells remain at the facility for their own safety, she said.

Often, Testa said, individuals might see turtles with cracked shells on the road and think they are dead— not true.

"They are always still alive," Testa said, adding that the goal is to get the turtles help and determine whether they can be saved — and to relieve terrible pain and suffering.

"The shell is like a skull, a broken bone that feels pain," she said. If a turtle is left to suffer on the road, it can take about four days for it to die, in horrific agony.

"They suffer in pain while flies eat them alive. Please don't turn your back on them," Testa said. "Call for help ASAP. Time is of the essence."

Testa urged anyone who finds a turtle to call the police, animal control, a local wildlife rescue — or, to slide the animal into a side tipped box and bring it to the nearest 24-hour emergency vet for free.

"Be prepared. Be careful. Call to see who treats reptiles, as not every vet does," she said. Turtles may need to be euthanized, or need pain medication.

And, she added, more often than not, the turtles can go on to be rehabilitated and set free. Some heal so completely that a crack is no longer seen. "You will have saved that life," she said.

If you find a turtle on the road, call the 24-hour hotline, 631-779-3737.

To donate to the Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons, visit their website or Facebook page or send donations to Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 5, Jamesport, NY 11947.