Turtles like this 45-pounder relocated by city Animal Control Officer Keith Sheppard have been encroaching on gardens and catching the eye of local residents.
BY MICHELE DURGIN
LYNN — A charter member of the Goldfish Pond Association, John Baker just can’t get respect when it comes to garden-loving turtles.
For the past four years, a two-foot Common Snapping Turtle has made a late spring trek from the pond to Baker and his wife, Carol’s, Bloomfield Street home. The pesky terrapin proceeds to rip up Baker’s garden filled with beautiful blooming impatiens to create a comfortable space to lay her eggs.
Baker got fed up with nuisance this year and decided to take action.
“I deserve more respect, and I had to do something drastic, once and for all,” he said.
A call to City Hall sent Animal Control Officer Keith Sheppard to the Baker home. Sheppard located the turtle and returned her to the pond.
But that’s not the end of the story. By Wednesday, “Miss Turtle” had returned to Baker’s garden and a second call brought Sheppard to Bloomfield Street.
”There she was, once again,” Baker said. “She was having a grand time digging away at my beautiful freshly-planted flowers. I know she’s digging to create a place to lay her eggs and I would never hurt her. But, I’ve simply had it.”
Sheppard relocated Miss Turtle to a local pond that is more secluded from the public. He didn’t want to disclose the exact location and is confident the mother turtle will feel comfortable in her new surroundings very soon.
He said turtle invasions are on the rise locally with a 45-pound Common Snapping Turtle requiring relocation from a Parkland Avenue yard to a more remote location. Sheppard said the turtle in Baker’s yard weighed 30-pounds and is in good health.
“I estimate her to be about twenty years old, which means she has a long life ahead,” he said. “They can live up to one hundred years. I wish her the best and I am confident she will settle into her new home soon. And something tells me that Mr. Baker might just miss her.”
