Abugattas is acting director of Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington, where about 40 wounded turtles are brought back to health every year. Proceeds from Arlington’s Turtle Trot 5K on May 19 will help pay for the turtles’ medicines and other expenses.
What medical issues do the turtles that you help have?
This time of year, a lot of them are car hits or lawn mower accidents. The animal is trying to get out and find a mate or lay eggs. A turtle shell is a wonderful protection but no match for vehicles. Luckily, turtles are tough little critters, and if we get them in fresh, we can patch them up. We also worked with trained vets, and they’ll do things like amputations. Then we keep hold on the animal until we return it to the wild. Later in the year, it’s the animals people have taken home as vacation pets, and the animals get sick because they don’t have proper diet or lighting.
What’s so great about turtles in Arlington?
These animals live a long, long time. Land turtles can easily hit the 100-year mark. They live in very small areas; you can learn your local neighbors. And they can grow up with generations of people. They are a vital part of the environment as scavengers and dispersers of types of seeds.
Do you have a favorite turtle success story?
There’s a box turtle here named Stumpy. He’s been here about 25 years at least. He lost his front leg in an accident, and he has a hard time digging, which is important for food and hibernation. He would open up a wound if he were out in the wild. He’s been here longer than any of the staff, and he’s become a mascot for us. He’s now an ambassador for his kind.
