Repatriating an invasive species to its native habitat

August 7, 2013 10:02 AM

My wife and I live in Central Florida. We found a Red-Eared Slider earlier this summer that had been tied up in a plastic bag and thrown out of a car. This particular species is invasive to this region, otherwise we'd let him go into a lake, and we need some guidance in getting him back to nature.

The closest native habitat to us according to this USGS fact sheet is in Alabama. I emailed the Manager at Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama and he said regulations prohibit the release of animals within the refuge, which is exactly the answer I was dreading, and I'm not sure where to turn next. Now I'm on AskMe

At this point, I would consider simply going to some body of water in rural Alabama, be it a lake or a pond or whatever and just releasing him there. But being that I'm not familiar with Alabama's terrain, I'd be afraid of just sending the little herp off to die.

Where might be a good place in Alabama to drop this guy off?

posted by triceryclops to Pets & Animals (10 answers total)

Honestly, I would try contacting Florida wildlife centers first: this one maybe or this one? The South Florida Humane Society notes that they specifically rehome non-native species and past domestic pets. If you release him into the wild, he could transmit diseases to the native turtle populations in addition to it being traumatizing to the little guy himself, since he may never have actually lived in the wild.
posted by jetlagaddict at 10:09 AM on August 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

Please don't drop him off in a random place in Alabama. Treat him/her like an abandoned pet (because he/she probably was a pet and not wild-caught) and either keep him or take him to a animal shelter. Some regions in Florida (Miami for sure) have 'turn-it-in' days at their animal control offices where you can turn in whatever wildlife you like, no questions asked.

Thanks for doing the right thing picking him/her up and not releasing him/her. Released pet reptiles are a big problem all over the southeastern US (especially Florida).
posted by hydrobatidae at 10:29 AM on August 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

Nthing that this turtle was some kid's pet, it is probably hungry and frightened. If you've ever wanted a pet turtle, now's your chance--otherwise, call animal control or your local shelter.
posted by epanalepsis at 10:31 AM on August 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

See if someone wants him as a pet?
posted by radioamy at 10:31 AM on August 7, 2013

Poor turtle. I have a RES and he is a great pet. It's so relaxing watching him paddle around his tank or stretch his legs while basking.

Anyway, if you don't want a pet turtle, then I would try one of the Florida rescue groups. The list is for herp groups which means that they deal with all reptiles, but I hope that some of them can help with the turtle
posted by nolnacs at 10:52 AM on August 7, 2013

Hi, fellow Central Floridian here. I would call Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge and ask them for guidance.
posted by saltwater at 10:56 AM on August 7, 2013

If worse comes to worse, none of the refuges want him and you don't want/need a housemate, offer him on Craigslist to someone who does want a pet. My grandkids would love a turtle (but you can't send him USPS!)
posted by BlueHorse at 1:50 PM on August 7, 2013

Definitely do not release him. Chytrid is being tracked to the possible release of African clawed frogs (post-research, I believe). There is a new and fast-spreading deadly snake 'fungus' that some field workers believe originated in released pets. Once an animal leaves the wild, except under very specific circumstances, it should not go back.

The good news is that since RES are such awful pets (require large aquariums, produce much waste, require very good filtration) and so ubiquitously released, there will almost certainly be multiple rescues in your state that, if not already overloaded, will be able to help him find a new home.
posted by Nyx at 2:51 PM on August 7, 2013

I asked a person knowledgeable about wildlife issues in your region, and he is talking to his contacts about whether he knows somebody who can take care of the slider, triceraclops. I'll let you know if that comes through, though it will be tomorrow at the soonest.

The big message I took away, however, is that picking up invasive species is NOT a responsible or good deed if you don't have a plan for what you will do next. Wildlife experts would prefer you not get involved if you don't know what you are doing.

Some additional thoughts from this person:

* "There are both Federal and State penalties for releasing non-native species on public lands, and those penalties get a lot sharper if you do so on ecologically sensitive lands."

* Some mid-Florida exotic pet return organizations exist and might be willing to take this in. Try making phone calls, or try local (non PetSmart, mom & pop) reptile shops. Most will say, "No thanks," but this is your best bet.

* "If you aren't going to try and give it to a pet store or find a responsible pet owner, you really should euthanize it. AAALAC certifies freezing as a humane form of euthanasia for reptiles, although the USGS and NPS are no longer allowed to use it for pythons."

* Again: "Save the wildlife folks some time, and if you aren't going to take the responsibility to care for it yourself, take the responsibility to kill it yourself."
posted by croutonsupafreak at 3:24 PM on August 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

Triceraclops: Check your memail. I just sent you the phone number of someone who can take the slider off your hands.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 10:07 AM on August 12, 2013