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.'
The 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.