Exotic turtle leaves Midlands resevoir for new home
9 July 2010
An angler caught more than he bargained for when he landed a North American turtle at Earlswood Reservoir near Solihull.
For a number of years the Midlands’ very own water monster – a 25kg, two-foot long female Alligator Snapping Turtle, native to the eastern corner of the US – has been living in local waters and causing havoc for the wildlife more commonly found here.
However, local angler Steve Bellion put an end to that on Friday (July 2) when he landed a load much bigger than your average catch and found himself faced with the unusual sight of North America’s largest species of freshwater turtle.
Steve, 23, from Solihull, was fishing at Earlswood Reservoir’s Engine Pool, which he regularly visits. Little did he know there was something ‘fishy’ lurking in the water below him and he admits it was a shock as he initially thought he’d caught an alligator.
Luckily this turtle tale has a happy ending as British Waterways ecologists transported the creature to West Midland Safari Park. Here it will remain permanently, in a reptile department alongside another turtle of the same breed.
It isn’t the first time an angler has been met by this snapping surprise. The turtle has been caught a few times before in the last two years but escaped. Its quest for a comfy home in the unfamiliar waters of the Midlands hasn’t been easy - the likelihood is it was bought as a pet and thoughtlessly released into the reservoir when it became too big.
Now, Earlswood’s famous foreigner can finally enjoy a safe environment purpose-built for a species that can grow to over 0.5m in length, weigh over 80kg and live to be 160 years old (this one is believed to be 80).
Midlands anglers may also be breathing a sigh of relief - while the Alligator Snapping Turtle mainly eats small fish and amphibians it has also been known to have a go at small dogs and children when it gets especially hungry!
British Waterways Ecologist Paul Wilkinson said: “Although it is a shame that we are taking this special animal out of the wild, it is necessary to protect the natural balance and she should settle down nicely with the experts at the West Midland Safari Park. Steve has done a good job in landing the turtle and luckily had the knowledge of how to deal with such a large animal safely.
“It is not only illegal to release non-native species into the wild of the UK, there is also no need to do it; there are organisations that can help re-home unwanted reptiles.”
Bob Lawrence, director of Wildlife at West Midland Safari Park said: “Thankfully Alligator Snapping Turtles are a rarity in British waters – they can create havoc for native species.
“It’s great the turtle now has a safe home. She appears to be in good health, and as we also have a male of the same species we will be checking compatibility to ascertain the possibility of mating.”
To capture sightings of Alligator Snapping Turtles and more common waterway wildlife British Waterways runs an annual wildlife survey encouraging families to record sightings of all wildlife they see on the waterways. As part of the survey British Waterways is also running a photography competition for adults and children, with prizes of up to £100 available. To find out more and to download a wildlife survey guide, visit www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey.
ENDS
For further information and filming enquiries please contact:
Suzannah Atkey, Communications and Marketing Executive on 01636 675773 / 07771379389 or email suzannah.atkey@britishwaterways.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
British Waterways cares for Britain’s 200-year old network of historic canals, rivers and docks, which attract over 13 million people each year for walking, cycling, angling, boating or simply the peace and quiet. We wish to establish a ‘national trust’ for the waterways in order to secure the network for future generations and to give local people a greater say in how they are run. www.britishwaterways.co.uk