Park Rangers On The Lookout After Box Turtle Escapes From Inwood Park
INWOOD (1010 WINS) -- A neighborhood-wide turtle hunt has been initiated for an eastern box turtle that made a daring escape from the Inwood Hill Park Nature Center on Thursday.
The turtle is a male eastern box turtle with bright red eyes and other bright markings. The turtle generally is not accustomed to cold weather and hibernates from late fall through April.
LISTEN: 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reports on the search
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One Inwood resident was clearly distraught over the turtle's disappearance.
"It's heartbreaking news to hear that this turtle has escaped in this chilly weather," Jason Minter said.
After scanning the area around him, in an attempt to locate the escaped turtle, Minter told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck that he observed, "Zero movement, except for somebody walking their dog."
One Inwood man named Ken seemed less concerned.
"No, no turtles, I haven't seen one in 40 years to be honest with you…unfortunately I can't (look for the turtle) because I'm going to the Giants game…they're playing the Packers," he said.
In an email to DNAinfo, Urban Park Ranger Director Sarah Aucoin said that, "it is unfortunate that this native animal has gone missing and that the public is now deprived of the opportunity to view it at the nature center."
Details regarding the turtle's escape are still unclear and the park's rangers are asking anybody with knowledge regarding its whereabouts to contact the nature center at 212-304-2365
Seen the turtle or had a run in with another escaped animal in the city? Let us know in our comments section below...
