Snapping Turtle Bludgeoned By Kids Recovering At The Aark

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — A large snapping turtle is recovering at the Aark Rehabilitation and Education Center in New Britain Township after he was bludgeoned with stones earlier this month by a group of kids.

The center posted photos of the turtle’s damaged shell on its Facebook page and a message to parents to “please, please, please teach your children (and anyone in your life) to respect wildlife. This snapper could feel every bludgeon because, yes, turtles can feel pain in their shell. It’s not okay to abuse an animal!”

The center took in the large adult snapping turtle after rescuers found him being bludgeoned with stones by kids. The bludgeoning caused substantial damage to his carapace (top shell) exposing tissue and muscle, the center reports.

“He will now have to spend the winter in our clinic due to his injuries,” the Aark wrote.

“This is an old adult male that had likely been alive for decades. If rescuers had not stepped him, it’s possible he would not be alive right now,” they said. “It is truly mind boggling and horrific to see young people behaving this way towards an innocent animal who likely was just minding his own business.”

(The Aark Rehabilitation and Wildlife Center)

The Aark did not say whether the kids involved were identified and if there were any consequences for their actions. They also did not say where the incident happened.

The Aark did express its thanks to the rescuers for stepping in and saving the turtle. “We’re grateful that he’s safe now with us to heal over the winter and be released back home next spring.”

The posting brought more than 100 comments from many expressing their outrage over the incident.

One woman wrote, “Kids have no idea how old a turtle of that size is or the struggle he has gone through living in this changing environment!! Respect begins with education and parents who take responsibility for making sure that their children know boundaries and consequences - causing injury, pain and suffering is not acceptable and those lessons begin at home!”

Another wrote, “This makes me want to cry and very angry all at the same time. Thank you for helping him.”

One person wrote, “So terribly sad. I was walking in Tyler State Park when I saw a young boy throwing big rocks at the geese in the water. His mother was just standing there watching him. I yelled at the top of my lungs from the other side of the creek!! I was furious at that woman.”