If I was to set my pet turtle free would it survive?

Question

Ok, so I have a pet turtle. Thing is, It's getting pretty big. LIke really big, since I've had it for about 3 years now.

Anyways, I found this lake, with about 40-50 more turtles of its species. People actually feed the turtles there too, which is reason as to why they survive so much in this lake. I was considering setting my turtle free in this lake. But still, I wonder if it would survive.

Soooo, do any of you know if I would be able to set my turtle free for it to keep its survival instincts enough to live?

Answer 1

i think anyone who is saying the turtle could spread diseases unknown to the wild turtles, pollute the gene pool by breeding with the wild turtles, or not know how to find food on its own... these people are full of c**p and know very little about biology. i am actually in the same predicament, and plan to free my turtle in a small man-made lake with lots of other small red-eared sliders. and i will sleep just fine at night, knowing that most animals, even born and raised in captivity, have this thing called "instinct".