We will be adding our support to the new
National Turtle Sanctuary, which will be based at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park. Throughout February and March 2020, we will
be donating 20p from every pot of King British Turtle & Terrapin Complete Food and King British Turtle & Terrapin
Food Sticks to help build a specially designed turtle pod to house abandoned turtles.
Turtles became extremely popular pets in the UK thanks to the release of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise
in the early 90s. Particularly popular at this time were Red-Eared Sliders. These turtles, along with Yellow-Bellied
Sliders and Cumberland Sliders, have recently made the news again as they are now classed as invasive species
in the UK.
Many turtles, particularly the three sliders mentioned above, grow into large adults so need a lot of space. Turtles are
very cute when small, so without prior research the it's only when they begin to reach maturity that owners begin
to realise what a huge responsibility they've taken on.
Turtles can be difficult to rehome, and sadly many owners have released them into local rivers and canals. Many will
have perished due to the climate, but others have adapted and thrived, leading to a great deal of environmental damage,
hence the subsequent illegal status for Red-Eared Sliders, Yellow-Bellied Sliders and Cumberland Sliders.
And this is where the National Turtle Sanctuary comes in!
Through careful collaboration, and the help of organisations and the public alike, the National Turtle Sanctuary aims to
begin providing a forever home for all abandoned turtles by Spring 2020. The sanctuary will include a number of purpose-built
turtle pods, which have been designed by experts in herpatology to provide the turtles with the conditions they need
to live healthy, happy lives.
In keeping with Lincolnshire Wildlife Park's ethos of working with local companies where possible, they have drafted in Cold-Blooded
Care, and Lincolnshire Pond Plants who will provide not only decorative flora but also specially chosen pond plants to
ensure water quality in the most natural and eco-friendly way.
Each pod will house up to 12 turtles in need of a forever home and, with more pods in the pipeline in the near future. The
sanctuary aims to house upwards of 1,000 varying species of turtles and terrapins.
We need your help to build a turtle pod!
A message from the Andy Ferguson, Herpetologist, Lincolnshire Wildlife Park:
"We’ve had a long term connection with the team down at the National Centre for Reptile Welfare in Tonbridge, and since the
centre opened a very large problem for both the centre and our natural habitats was identified very quickly - turtles! With
such a vast space available to us here, we have the capabilities to provide more than enough space and land for terrapins
to be housed, and as we are a sanctuary they will be here to enjoy the remainder of their lives.’
"We would like to express our most sincere thanks to King British for being pivotal in the formation of our first of its
kind National Turtle Sanctuary. Their sponsorship is invaluable to the project, not only in providing the charity with
funds that will enable us to construct stage one of the rehoming centre, but ensuring its success with ongoing support."
Find out more about King British Turtle & Terrapin Food below