More Than 100 Turtles Dead On Long Island; Advocacy Groups Concerned

SAYVILLE, NY — More than 100 snapping turtles were recently found dead at a Sayville estate on Monday, concerning several animal advocacy groups.

Humane Long Island, an advocacy organization, told Patch that they believed the turtles were "literally mowed down" by Suffolk Parks Department workers Meadow Croft Estate.

"This is the work of human carelessness," said president of Humane Long Island John Di Leonardo.

However, Marshall Brown, co-founder and executive director of The Long Island Conservancy said that the turtles were clearly killed by raccoons.

Six turtle nests — every nest on the estate — were destroyed in the course of one night, Brown said. The raccoons also took out a friend's chicken coop nearby, he said.

An environmentalist for about 50 years, he said he has seen raccoon raids as an unfortunate, yet common occurrence.

"I found my first snapping turtle nest in these swamps 50 years ago," he said. "Most nests get found."

According to Humane Long Island, a Bayport resident saw the dead hatchlings at the estate, and found only ten turtles to have survived the incident.

The league says the Suffolk Parks Department is aware and is investigating the incident, News 12 said.

Brown told Patch that the conservancy is working with Meadow Croft Estate and local volunteers to make sure the nests get chicken wire covers next spring.

Humane Long Island also said they are urging county authorities to immediately enact a prohibition on mowing over or disturbing nesting sites at Meadow Croft Estate from April to October to "prevent this tragedy from ever occurring again."

"Snapping turtles are New York State's official reptile and a keystone species, serving as nature's cleanup crew and removing detritus from our lands and waterways," said Karenlynn Stracher, a Humane Long Island volunteer. "This important species must be protected."

Brown said while blaming parks department workers is jumping to conclusions, the main priority for all groups is to focus on prevention.

"We should focus on a solution, which is what do we do from here on in to protect these nests," he said.

Patch has reached out to Suffolk Parks Department and Meadow Croft Estate for comment.