I got three baby turtles in China Town a year and a half ago and they are growing a lot, they are so big now I was wondering if they would survive if I released them into the wild? Please give me your input on this, thanks.
~Stefanie
I dont know where you are from, I'm assuming New York, since you bought them in China Town, but you could have been on vacation... but here in Texas it is illegal to release a pet back into the wild, well it is for a turtle, I would imagine for most other animals as well.
Its different if you are an animal rehabilitator, which, of course would nurse animals back to health and bring let it go.
Another problem, big one, other than the legality, is your turtles are used to being fed, now they probably could find food, but they probably arent used to looking at it.
Depending on where you had your turtles, they still probably have their natural escape behavior, but they most likely have not had to deal with predators are defending their territory.
your best bet would probably put an ad up and give them away. again i dont know they laws, but here in texas, since it is a native species, you have to have a license to sale them, so you either have to give them away or get a license.
It would be illegal to release your turtles. The laws prevent release after a few months of captivity or if the turtle has had contact with other turtles. Turtles from China Town are very apt to be in poor health and carry various parasites, viruses, and bacteria that we wouldn't want in the wild populations. Read this section on my site:
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/turpond.htm#releaseI suggest trying to find a new home for the turtles via your local turtle club, pond club, or these sites. I can find the closest turtle and pond clubs to you if you say which state you are currently living in.
http://www.turtlehomes.org/http://nytts.org/ (if you're in NY)
http://www.matts-turtles.org/