OMG: Scary Looking Turtle Not Welcome in Oregon
A fisherman at Prineville Reservoir in Oregon was startled last Friday to spot a large, prehistoric-looking creature cruising along the surface.
Wildlife experts were notified and the next day the creature, an exotic alligator snapping turtle, was captured and euthanized.
Because alligator snapping turtles, with their scaly tails, spiked shells, and powerful beaked jaws, do not belong anywhere but their native southeastern United States habitat (where they’re a threatened species). There, in swamps and river and canals, they help balance the ecosystem.
Beyond that territory, though, they’re regarded as pests with the potential to adversely impact native fishes and small amphibian species (they’ll even devour ducklings), and spread disease.
Their extremely powerful bite also makes them dangerous to humans. It can grow weigh at least 220 pounds and an unverified report from Kansas, in 1937, placed the weight of one specimen at 403 pounds.
What are your thoughts?
source>>>http://www.allproudamericans.com/Scary-Looking-Turtle-Not-Welcome-in-Oregon.html
I understand that this turtle is a threat to the ecosystem there, but they didn't have to kill it. It wasn't its fault.It was just doing what it does best...surviving! It was most likely dumped here by an irresponsible person who must have had it as a pet. Instead of killing it, they should have relocated it to the area the turtle is suppose to be native to. They could have also sent the turtle to a Zoo or nature preserve . So many people are so quick to kill an innocent animal just because it's burdensome and don't know much about it, so it's a threat. Yeah those types of turtles can be intimidating to some people, we have them here in Ny. I know all to well. Other measures should have been used in getting rid of the turtle that didn't end with the turle being killed. Very sad it ended this way :(
ReplyDelete