Originally published Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
Fish & Wildlife euthanizing 1,100 turtles
PENDLETON — Nearly 1,100 exotic pet turtles are being euthanized this week by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife after they tested positive for salmonella.
Tri-City Herald
PENDLETON — Nearly 1,100 exotic pet turtles are being euthanized this week by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife after they tested positive for salmonella.
The red-eared slider turtles were confiscated last month because that species is illegal to own or sell in Oregon.
State Fish & Wildlife employees in Pendleton cared for the turtles for about a month. But the reptiles are now at Oregon State University in Corvallis, where they will be put down by the end of the week, said Kevin Blakely, a manager at the Pendleton Fish & Wildlife office.
Samples taken from the turtles tested positive for salmonella, a bacteria that can cause humans to get diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. A multistate outbreak of pet turtle-related salmonella sickened about 100 people and hospitalized 24 earlier this year, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Oregon officials couldn't find anywhere to ship the infected turtles for further care. "Our only other option was to humanely dispose of them," Blakely said.
The state confiscated 728 of the red-eared sliders in early September when it learned a Hermiston woman was selling them. Officials said red-eared sliders can force out native species if they are released into the wild.
Federal regulations also prohibit sales of turtles if their shells are less than 4 inches long. The confiscated turtles' shells were about 1 inch.
If they are at least 4 inches in length, red-eared sliders are legal to own in Washington.
As word spread, more people reported owning the banned animals. A Umatilla man turned in an additional 316 turtles, Blakely said.
About 40 more were turned in by residents of the Milton-Freewater and Pilot Rock areas who apparently had bought the turtles from the Umatilla man or the Hermiston woman.
Any other Oregon residents who own the turtles still can turn them over to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife by calling its Pendleton office at 541-276-2344.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Arson suspect has long history of setting fires
Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders
Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
Kirkland annex 'yes' could be slipping away
Kent man challenges Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' gun ban

Girls Soccer: Mercer Island vs. Glacier Peak
Mercer Island defeats Glacier Peak, 2-1, in a 3A state playoff quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 14.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Man says he will protest city's gun ban by carrying gun into community center
- OSU game thread
697 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
358 - NYC trial for 9/11 suspects poses risks
136 - Kent man challenges Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' gun ban
132 - Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders
109 - Wright State game thread
97 - Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue
90 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
77 - Huskies no match for Oregon State, fall 48-21
63 - Belmont game thread
63
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- An 802.11n upgrade could make a big difference
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Charles Krauthammer / Syndicated columnist | A politically correct — and dangerous — delicacy about the Fort Hood shooting





