In this episode of Warden’s Watch, Wayne follows up on the disturbing New Hampshire turtle cruelty case by sitting down with Dallas Huggins and Drew Stevens of the New Hampshire Turtle Rescue. They share Oka the turtle’s recovery story, explain the challenges facing native turtle populations, and highlight the conservation work needed to protect these remarkable animals for generations to come.
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Here’s what we discuss:
- Why Wayne wanted to learn more about turtle rescue after covering the turtle cruelty case
- Wayne’s story about rescuing an injured crow nicknamed “Survivor”
- Meeting Dallas Huggins and Drew Stevens from New Hampshire Turtle Rescue
- How Oka the turtle got her name
- The rescue’s annual naming themes for turtles
- Reports of turtle crossing signs being vandalized in Hillsboro
- Growing concerns about an unusually high number of dead turtles on one road
- Neighbors documenting suspicious activity around turtle crossing areas
- The night Oka was discovered
- Volunteer transporters helped get Oka to the rescue
- The extent of Oka’s shell injuries
- Emergency treatment, pain management, and stabilization efforts
- “What pain has a turtle ever done to anybody?”
- Conservation Officer Zach Abrahamson’s investigation
- The use of a turtle decoy during the investigation
- Charges laid against the offender
- Discussion about penalties and wildlife cruelty laws
- Public reaction to the case
- Gaps in legal protections for some turtle species
- Efforts to strengthen New Hampshire’s turtle protection regulations
- The dangers of people taking wild turtles home as pets
- Challenges caused by improper care and disease transmission
- The impact of illegal turtle collection and the pet trade
- How Oka’s shell repair differed from typical vehicle-strike injuries
- Concerns about possible spinal damage and paralysis
- The painstaking process of cleaning and rebuilding a damaged shell
- Discovering that Oka was still carrying an egg after the attack
- Recovery updates and Oka’s progress
- “She’s acting like a normal turtle.”
- Why the rescue believes the case should serve as a catalyst for change
- The origins of New Hampshire Turtle Rescue
- Learning wildlife rehabilitation through raptor and general wildlife care
- Taking over turtle rehabilitation work from a retiring mentor
- Expectations of a few turtle cases turning into hundreds
- Growing demand for turtle-specific wildlife rehabilitation
- Why roads are the biggest threat facing many turtle populations
- The importance of habitat conservation
- How long-lived turtle species struggle to recover from population losses
- The role of wetlands, vernal pools, and connected habitats
- Wildlife-friendly culverts and safe road crossings
- Efforts to improve crossings for Blanding’s turtles and other species
- Why rehabilitation is only a temporary solution without habitat protection
- Moving turtles safely across roads
- Seasonal turtle movements beyond nesting season
- Fall migrations to overwintering sites
- The remarkable site fidelity of native turtles
- “The best way to help turtles is land conservation.”
- How listeners can support New Hampshire Turtle Rescue
- Resources available for people who find injured turtles
- The rescue’s mission to help an ever-growing number of turtles
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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