Abandoned Turtles to be Relocated from Park to Rescue

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.