SEEN HERE FIRST: Large snapper fighting for his life after hit by motor vehicle… [Video]
Osterville – A large snapping turtle is fighting for his life this afternoon after being struck by car in the area of Main Street and Tower Hill Road…
Barnstable Police responded, along with Barnstable Natural Resource Officer Amy Croteau, after a group of concerned citizens spotted and tried to help the injured reptile…
After some wrangling, Officer Croteau managed to carefully secure the snapper in a plastic container…
According to Croteau, the turtle was initially angry with her rescue efforts…
But judging by its wounds, Croteau knew the turtle needed treatment in order to survive…
The large snapping turtle was immediately transported to the nearby Cape Wildlife Center on Route 6A in Cummaquid where it was quickly attended to…
A veterinarian and his assistants first weighed the turtle… it weighed an impressive 10.86 kilograms (23.94 pounds)…
The vet then began to sedate the reptile in order to thoroughly examine its wounds… According to Cape Wildlife Center staff, the sedation of turtles takes significantly more time than other animals…
Despite a large gash to the outer shell, along with a nasty scrape on the turtle’s nose and jaw, caregivers believe it has a chance to survive, but it’s still too early to tell…
In the event the turtle’s jaw is broken, Cape Wildlife vets have successfully wired a broken turtle jaw once in the past… but it’s a complicated procedure which necessitates a feeding tube…
Everyone involved in today’s turtle rescue, from natural resource officers to Cape Wildlife staff, would like to raise awareness about wildlife crossing our roads this time of year…
Based on a tip from Officer Croteau, Hyannis News returned to an area not far from where the turtle was struck this morning…
In the area of Bumps River Road and Old Mill Road, children placed signs designed to warn motorists of turtles crossing the street in that area… the signs urge drivers to slow down…
Speed limit signs on that stretch of road read 25 miles per hour. However, the large majority of vehicles navigate that road much faster as they try to shave time off their travels… Some vehicles appeared to be traveling nearly twice the speed limit, which is probably why some in the community would like see motorists show a little bit more respect for the animals in the roadway…
Officer Croteau didn’t have the exact numbers, but estimates that about 2 to 3 turtles are struck each year…
Also of note, this stretch of road runs through areas where children play… not just turtles…
The following video shows footage of the turtle’s arrival and initial treatment at the Cape Wildlife Center… it also shows footage of the area where children placed signs in efforts to protect the turtles. (Today’s turtle accident took place nearby on Main Street in the center of Osterville…) [Press play]
Hyannis News will provide updates on the turtle's condition as they become available...
5/1/2014
Robert Bastille,
P.S. -- Tonight's HyTown Vignette is brought to you by E.L.O.... [Press play]
