Dozens of abandoned box turtles discovered in New Jersey

Dozens of abandoned box turtles discovered in NJ

CRANFORD, N.J. (PIX11) — A summer stroll along the Rahway River became an ongoing wildlife rescue operation after more than 150 box turtles were discovered abandoned along the riverbank in Cranford, NJ.

New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection believes someone illegally dumped the turtles along the river on Wednesday. Crews say there are Eastern box turtles, which are native to New Jersey, and Three-toed box turtles, a species not native to the state.

Through the efforts of local residents, animal control officers, firefighters and law enforcement, nearly 100 turtles have already been recovered.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish and Wildlife division is leading the investigation, assisted by local animal control officers and the Cranford Fire Department.

One local teenager has been helping rescue the stranded turtles, carefully collecting them and bringing them to the Cranford Fire Department, where officials have established a collection point for recovered animals.

Wildlife experts say box turtles are primarily land animals, not aquatic turtles

“I thought it was really sad,” said Cranford resident Alexandra Augenzucker, who learned about the rescue effort through social media.

“You can’t just dump them in the ponds here. If you get here first thing in the morning, they’ll be out there sunning themselves. It’s one of the cool things about living in the Venice of New Jersey.”

Animal rescue organizations are now caring for the recovered turtles.