Is it safe to release a red-eared slider into a huge pond at a park?

Question

I have a red-eared slider which I got from a friend two months ago, its 4" and I can't keep it anymore because I need a much bigger tank, a much powerful filter, etc. My husband tells me to release it into a pond at the community park. There are other turtles there. I don't know what to do. I live in southern California. What is the appropiate thing to do with my turtle. I really wish I could keep it, but I don't have a job and my husband wants me to get rid of it. Please help!

Answer 1

THERE IS A POND NEAR WHERE I LIVE WHICH HAS BEEN DESTROYED BY AN ESCAPED TERRAPIN. It eats all the fish and even tries attacking the ducks in the water, Do NOT release it!

Answer 2

please find a new home for the turtle.  try craigslist.com

do not release it into a neighborhood pond.  it is against the law, not to mention what it does to the environment and other turtles.

Answer 3

It is illegal to release captive animals into the wild. They carry diseases into the wild population that has the potential to kill all the existing animals.  We are currently experiencing a world wide loss of frogs due to this very thing.  DO NOT RELEASE!!  Take it to a petstore, advertise it for sale or to a good home.  Whatever you have to do.  This is the reason you should do research before you get an animal.  You should have already known what the eventual needs of this turtle would be.  If you couldn't provide for it, you shouldn't have gotten it.

Answer 4

I am in Orange county , Laguna hills,Ca...and I have 4 already. Two of them are 36 Yrs old.  I have a 150 gal pond..

May I have him...

you can release him at the park cause everyone does..I just couldn't . Cause some kid would

come by and take him and not care for him properly.

email me if ya want to me up,thx Patty

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I have made alot of people happy  and informed and never had complaints from them. Why do OLD fossils and trolls like you act this way. Who cares about points. Its not like your going to win a car or diamond ring now is it!  

***Have you lost track and forget to care about the animal/reptile isn't thier well being most important? ****

Instead of putting me down maybe  did YOU know I have crippled arthritis hands and I can't type long thats why I cut and paste .

PS...give the ole fossil my points for being mean.Maybe he needs points for that new BMW,  .and I will see you next week to pick up the turtle..thax again.

Answer 5

Give it to Peek. She wants it so much she didn't even cut and paste her usual space-waster. Never release a turtle outside its range. Ever.

Answer 6

find a rescue to take it,  heres a list of people to contact in southern CA  http://www.anapsid.org/societies/calif.h...

If your friend got it from a petsmart or pet co.  They WILL take back animals they placed.  

Before releaseing it into a park or stream take it to a humane shelter,  RES are native to your area, but your little guy isnt used to hunting food for himself or avoiding larger turtles, dangers ect.

Answer 7

give it to the pet shop ner u or sell it cheap to somone that has all the right stuff and a biger noth tank.!!

Answer 8

A red- eared slider is a pet not garbage. If you would like a red-eared slider, you need to take care of it even when it grows up big. Remember that as it grows big, it will need more space and more food.

Answer 9

Do NOT release it into the wild.  People have screwed up SO many ecologies doing that c**p.  You mean well, but may be wreaking havoc unintentionally.  Non-native species in the wild are BAD.

Take it to a pet store.. they'll gladly take it & sell it off again.  Or find a friend that might like to give it a good home.

Good luck...  with the turtle, and your husband.

Answer 10

Give it to a zoo or sanctuary.  You could even try a pet shop, they may not pay for it but at least the animal will have a better chance of surviving.  This is a captive animal and releasing it in to the wild may kill it as it's not used to it.  Does this park have the same turtles??  Can a red eared slider survive in southern California, I don't know where they originate.

Please give this to someone who can look after it.  No pet should be released in to the wild as this can f*ck up that eco system.  In future I would suggest you make sure you can house and afford and look after any animal before taking it on