Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, May 14, 2015
(UNDATED) - Box turtles on the move, and if you see them crossing the road it’s ok to help them get to the other side. But Department of Natural Resource officials say don’t try to keep a box turtle as a pet, it’s illegal in Indiana.
That is because the population of the Eastern Box Turtle is declining.
One of the greatest factors affecting the decline is human-related changes in the landscape. The conversion of forest to agricultural land along with the expansion of housing developments into areas where suitable habitat once existed has no doubt affected many turtle populations.
Additional factors that are potentially damaging the population include road mortality and collection by humans.
Recent initiatives have led to the protection of the Eastern Box Turtle in Indiana.
Beginning Oct. 23, 2004, the collection of Eastern Box Turtles from the wild is prohibited. A special permit is now required to care for captive specimens in the state.
Conservation initiatives in addition to habitat preservation will help protect this unique turtle from further declines.
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