Precinct 8 Deputies help alligators and turtles safely cross the road during warmer weather.
Precinct 8 Deputies to the rescue as they helped alligators and turtles get safely across the road this weekend. With warmer weather here, wildlife crossings are increasing. If you see an animal crossing, please keep the following tips in mind.
1. Always keep your own safety in mind and watch for oncoming vehicles. Signal properly when pulling over and recognize your surroundings first before working to help save the animal.2. Be very careful when moving an animal- it could be injured or it could bite you out of fear.
3. If the animal needs to be moved, move it to the other side of the road in the same direction as it was going. Using a car mat can be a good way to help the turtles across without actually picking them up.
4. Do NOT take it with you. Please only focus on helping it get safely to the other side.
5. Sometimes it is best to just stand guard as the animal crosses the road on its own.
The turtle was found crossing the main lanes on SH 225 by Sergeant Ford and Deputy Lozano. It was removed from traffic and released to a nearby pond.