Where should I return an Eastern Box Turtle to?

Question

My aunt found an abandoned eastern box turtle on a highway and she gave it to me. I live in Northern NJ and was wondering if anyone knew of places near to here where I could return the turtle to it's home? She got the turtle from South Pennsylvania and I can't travel that distance again. I called a couple zoos that all told me to call the Humane Society. Any suggestions? Quickly, hopefully. I want my turtle to survive. :)

Answer 1

south pa where the turtle was found is where it should be put back.  sorry.  your aunt took it, your aunt should return it.  she had no business taking the turtle out of its home. the turtle was not abandoned.  it was living its life.  when you find a turtle in the road, and can safely stop and move the turtle off the road, always take it in the direction it was moving.  wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.

Answer 2

Call the police. It is against the LAW in Pa to take  reptiles out of the wild. Tell your aunt she has to take it back. It wasn't "abandoned" it was KIDNAPPED.

Answer 3

It's not illegal to take box turtles in Pennsylvania. At present the Fish and Boat Commision permit 2 to be taken from the wild by an individual.

However box turtles will try to return to their homes no matter what, so returning it where-ever you please is only going to cause him harm. Either hand him over to the SPCA or other animal foundation or take him back and place him the direction he was heading, off the highway of course.

Answer 4

uhh arent most turtles seen on or near a highway? how could it be abandoned? if it was taken from the wild then your aunt should take in every creature she sees, i guess theyre abandoned too

Answer 5

DO NOT RELEASE IT anyplace other than where it was found. It was not "abandoned", it was wild. Box turtle populations are rapidly dwindling, and people like your aunt are one of the main reasons.

The Humane Society is a poor choice.

Search for a Herpetological Society (or perhaps a rescue) in your area, they can point you in the right direction.

Answer 6

if ur close enough, you should take it to Peace Valley Park which is only a mile from my house, its basically a haven for all animals, i found the same turtle and brought it there and he happily swam off into the lake and after about 2 min of swimming other turtles started swimming with him