Help us save the Turtles King British

Saving Turtles and Terrapins around the UK

The latest news from the National Turtle Sanctuary

King British Team lend a hand to build a turtle pond

The National Turtle Sanctuary's new turtle pond, build by the King British TeamIn April 2021, members of the King British Team headed over to the National Turtle Sanctuary to lend a hand in the building of its newest turtle pond. The National Turtle Sanctuary now has seven ponds, with four more due for completion in early June which will provide accommodation for smaller turtle species such as Musk Turtles. It will also provide housing for a number of turtles that form part of studies of cognitive behaviour in turtles by the University of Lincoln, another sanctuary supporter.

Andy Ferguson, Herpetologist, Lincolnshire Wildlife Park & The National Turtle Sanctuary, said: ‘The team from King British were fabulous, they helped me create our largest training pond of over 7 metres x 6 metres. The team’s efforts have saved the sanctuary hundreds of pounds in labour for which we are extremely grateful!

‘We have now installed the basking platforms and ramps and have fitted all of the equipment from pumps to oxygenators, and are awaiting the electricians connection. Once running we will begin to plant and decorate ready for the new residents.’

During the day, team moved over 40 railway sleepers (weighing roughly 3.5 tonnes in total) and created a gradient for the turtle pond's base with 4 tonnes of materials!

Why are the National Turtle Sanctuary and King British helping 'save the 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, made the news again in late 2019 having been 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.

Recognising that something needed to be done, the team at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park began to formulate a plan, and The National Turtle Sactuary was born. Andy Ferguson, Herpetologist, Lincolnshire Wildlife Park & The National Turtle Sanctuary, explained: '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.’

What is the National Turtle Sanctuary and what does it do?

The National Turtle Sanctuary aims to create a safe forever home for all turtles and terrapins that cannot stay with their owners anymore, including Red-Eared Sliders, Yellow-Bellied Sliders and  Cumberland Sliders. The sanctuary has several purpose-built turtle ponds designed by experts in herpatology to provide the turtles with the conditions they need to live healthy, happy lives. The aim is to house 1,000 turtles and terrapins of varying species; currently they have over 150.

The sanctuary came about 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

In keeping with Lincolnshire Wildlife Park's ethos of working with local companies where possible, they drafted in the National Centre for Reptile Welfare and Cold-Blooded Care. Also supporting the sanctuary is Lincolnshire Pond Plants, who provide not only decorative flora but also specially chosen pond plants to ensure water quality in the most natural and eco-friendly way, the University of Lincoln and of course, King British.

How has King British helped support the National Turtle Sanctuary?

As a Lincolnshire-based aquatics manufacturer and an organisation that is passionate about educating pet owners, King British wanted to get involved and help in any way we could. In February and March 2020, we donated 20p from every pot of our award-winning King British Turtle & Terrapin Complete Food and our King British Turtle & Terrapin Food Sticks to help build one of the specially designed turtle ponds. Thanks to the help of turtle owners up and down the country, our fundraising efforts were hugely successful, so much so that by September 2020, the sanctuary were able to build a fully functioning Acclimatisation Centre.

Andy said: '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.'

King British Acclimatisation Centre at The National Turtle SanctuaryThe King British Acclimatisation Centre is a hugely important part of the turtles journey and rehabilitation. Consisting of three ponds of varying depths, the centre allows Andy and the team to monitor a turtle's ability to swim. While some turtles have been rescued from UK waterways, others come to the sanctuary because their owners have realised they don't have the space to give them the care they require. Turtles kept in small tanks with shallow water may not be used to or have leg muscles strong enough to be confident swimmers. This means, unfortunately, some turtles dould drown if put straight into deep water.

After a stint in The National Turtle Sanctuary's quarantine pond to ensure they're in good health, turtles are moved to the shallowest pond in the Acclimatisation Centre. The turtles are then carefully monitored, and moved to the next, slightly deeper pond when they are ready. Once the turtles are confidently swimming in the deepest pool of the Acclimatisation Centre, they are ready to be moved into one of the large, purpose-built turtle ponds.

Alongside raising money for the Acclimatisation Centre, King British also donates our award-winning King British Turtle & Terrapin Complete Food to help support their health and well-being.

Visit the National Turtle Sanctuary's website for more information.


Find out more about King British Turtle & Terrapin Food below

King British Turtle & Terrapin Complete Food King British Turtle & Terrapin Food Sticks

    King British Turtle & Terrapin Complete Food   King British Turtle & Terrapin Food Sticks