Man saves turtle in Rockland, issues safety reminder
The New York State Department of Environmental Conversation says most of the 11 species of land turtles in the state are in decline.
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Francis Brooke was driving on Blue Hill Road on Sunday when he noticed something that "looked like a rock in the road that another car was avoiding."
"So I'm like, 'Let me go and get the rock out of the road.' As I got closer, I realized it was a red-eared slider," says Brooke.
The Pearl River man saved that turtle by returning it to a nearby waterway.
Brooke is a years-long volunteer with the Turtles of Western Highway, which helps the reptiles cross the road safely in late spring to lay eggs. He is also fostering a box turtle.
Brooke says there may be more turtles that try to cross the road as eggs start to hatch.
"Drive slowly, be mindful they're out there," said Brooke. "They are part of the ecosystem, and every single part helps another part."
In May, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reminded drivers to 'Give Turtles a Brake' in order to protect them, adding most of the 11 species of land turtles in the state are in decline.
