Injured snapping turtle released back into the wild
By Susan Shapiro
Click here for updates on this story
ADAMS COUNTY, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — A snapping turtle named Dino, rescued after being hit by a car, underwent surgery and was released back into the wild in Adams County.
“They are dinosaurs, living dinosaurs, very impressive,” Garrett Lamason of the West Shore Wildlife Center said.
Dino’s journey began on July 9 when a family found him in the middle of West High Street in New Oxford. He had been hit by a car. Jamey Swisher of Reptile Invasion came to his rescue.
“I knew he was in pretty bad shape. He wasn’t trying to strike when we picked him up,” Swisher said.
The 20-pound turtle had a fractured shell, but an X-ray revealed two hooks in his throat, which could be a sign of poaching. Dino underwent risky surgery to remove the hooks and rehabilitated at the West Shore Wildlife Center in Dover.
“He is definitely happy and healing, and got his spice back,” Lamason said.
Rescuers released Dino into the South Branch of the Conewago Creek, where they watched as he slowly made his way into the water.
“It was fantastic. It just made my whole year,” Swisher said.
“It’s great he gets to go back to his real home and doesn’t have to live in a shelter,” Jessica Fishel of Reptile Invasion said.
Dino, believed to be about 30 years old, may have a long life ahead of him, as snapping turtles can live to be 100.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.