YERTLE THE TURTLE NEEDS OUR HELP

Saved by the snow shovel during his migration.

I take care of all of my passengers ... two and four legged as my travelers know. This is not a stupid story. Especially for this time of year. 

For the next few months, I make it my business to help turtles cross the road as they migrate. And, they need help to make it across as we drive so distractedly and seem to have such a low respect for some life forms.  Sometimes when we are on our cell phones, we just don't see what's in front of us. We're blind. And, we all know how true that is. 

I'm not a turtle wrangler. I don't have them as pets. We're on this planet to share with all of the kingdoms I feel. The turtle population is shrinking. This is not time for another species to become extinct. They migrate to find mates, lay eggs and establish a home territory. 

A snow shovel in my car's trunk plus an empty cardboard box are the proper tools for migrating assistance. I've helped the big and little guys cross the road because when they migrate they have this overwhelming need to move to their destination no matter what. They need help over the curbs and protection from vehicles. 

Often they try to bite the shovel and hiss.  No matter to me. It's better than the alternative of a squashed shell with their guts streaming out. Many magazine and newspaper articles suggest picking the turtle up by both sides of their shell in the back portion of their bodies, keeping them close to the ground while transporting and helping them go in the direction they're headed. Shovels work best.

In Portage County, WI, the DNR, a group of maverick student wranglers and local sheriffs discovered where the rare and common turtles were crossing, erected fencing to redirect the turtles to a safer crossing while the highway was undergoing paving. Concerned citizens drove the effort. 

Texas has yellow road signs alerting drivers to turtle crossings. Many newspapers all over the country have written articles about turtle migration. 

Connecticut has a tip sheet explaining how to help turtles cross, instructs helpers not to pick them up by their tales and to use caution while placing turtles. Here's the link.  
http://www.theridgefieldpress.com/46911/how-to-properly-help-turtles-cross-the-road/#axzz4AW4IzMds

There's a Facebook site called Turtle Protectors. The list goes on. 

And of course, the most famous of all was created by Dr. Suess in his 2001 best seller: "Yertle The Turtle." The last lines of "Yertle the Turtle" read: "And turtles, of course ... all the turtles are free / As turtles, and maybe, all creatures should be."

Just remember to share the road. And, give a guy a chance.