CityofSantaBarbara
By the City of Santa Barbara
86 red-eared slider turtles are being relocated from Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden to the Turtle and Tortoise Rescue in Arroyo Grande. They will be included in a new outdoor exhibit at the 5-acre sanctuary to educate children and adults about animal diversity and conservation.
Though the park’s pond was never designed to accommodate turtles, the current population of red-eared sliders is estimated to be over 200. Pet owners first introduced the invasive species by illegally releasing unwanted animals into the pond. Unwanted turtles continue to be abandoned in the park each year.
Relocating the turtles will provide them with a location designed to meet their unique habitat needs, including pristine water quality and a strong filtration system to remove waste. Because the pond at Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden is not equipped to meet these needs or provide the specialized care that turtles require, the Parks and Recreation Department hopes to relocate the remaining animals as sanctuary space allows.
Relocation of the turtles is also expected to improve the pond’s water quality and ecosystem. The pond initially housed koi fish and aquatic plants, but as the turtles were introduced and populations grew, water quality deteriorated, and the plants and fish could not survive.
Members of the public are urged to do adequate research before deciding to bring a pet home. Releasing an unwanted pet in the wild is a misdemeanor offense in California (Ca. Pen. Code 597s) and can cause serious harm to local ecosystems.
I’m sure some Edhatters remember this:
https://www.independent.com/2007/07/30/city-looks-into-dead-koi/———-The turtles certainly weren’t why the koi died off.
the parks and rec people are just….clueless in our city. Seems as soon as Santos retired, things went to hell in a basket fast. A bunch of new hires looking to be champions and disregarding history. Mini is correct, and I do remember this very well https://www.independent.com/2007/07/30/city-looks-into-dead-koi/
Perhaps the new city employees should research what their predecessors learned.
Not advocating for this but here it is….
http://cannundrum.blogspot.com/2016/02/turtle-red-eared-slider-soup.html
Being from the south I can state that turtle soup can be quite yummy.
Why 86 and not all >200? Will the inadequate habitat described here be adjusted to be able to accommodate the remaining turtles with water filtration etc?
the Parks and Recreation Department hopes to relocate the remaining animals as sanctuary space allows.
Once upon a time, in 1980, so long ago I dare reveal my crime because statute of limitations protects me, I transported dozens of little frogs from Mission creek to the newly created Parkpark. It was a full moon, and I stood on the little gazebo and uncovered my bucket of Pacific Tree Frogs (Pseudacris regilla) and one by one they let fly and took a leap of faith into their new environment, vastly superior to the cement channel of downtown Mission creek. Mea culpa! Now every spring we can enjoy their mating calls there.
Good way potentially to spread disease and reduce their population!
https://www.amphibianark.org/the-crisis/chytrid-fungus/