As every Great Neck Library user knows, the library is not just books 0 it’s films, it’s ebooks, it’s the internet, it’s toddler story hour, it’s music on a Sunday afternoon, it’s teen centers, it’s networking and it’s residents coming to the aid of a trapped turtle.
On a recent balmy Friday afternoon, a colleague at the Great Neck Library informed me that a large snapping turtle whose shell was about three feet in diameter was trapped in the netting in Udall’s Pond, located in back of the library.
The quest for help began.
My first call was to the Great Neck Park District in the hope that they had someone on staff that could help the turtle. Although very sympathetic and concerned, they had no one who could assist but suggested calling Alley Pond Park Environmental Center.
Before that call, I thought of my friend Jane, my go-to-person when it comes to animal rescue. Jane is an avid animal advocate who works closely with the Town of North Hempstead’s Feral Cat Trap Neuter Return Program and knows just about everyone in Town. Jane said she couldn’t come to the library right then as she was attempting to rescue some kittens, but she would make a few phone calls.
In the meantime Jane advised calling the Town’s 311 Help Line. The 311 Helpline very quickly and efficiently directed me to the Department of Environmental Conservation (718-482-4885) Office, which services New York City.
The number for the DEC covering Nassau and Suffolk is 631-444-0280. They were very sympathetic, but unable to help us at that moment.
The DEC asked if the turtle’s head was above water (a turtle can stay under water for about 20 minutes), the depth of the water (about two feet), the part of the turtle was trapped (appeared to be a leg), and if turtle injured in any way (hard to tell, but appeared not).
The DEC agent (and Alley Pond Environmental Center) referred me to Bobby Horvath (293-0587) a wildlife rescuer located in Massapequa. Mr. Horvath was very sympathetic but was already on a rescue mission so he gave me the number of Volunteers for Wildlife Inc. located in Locust Valley (516 674 0982).
Mr. Horvath told me to call him back if I couldn’t get help. In the meantime, Jane called back and suggested calling the Alert Fire Department on Middle Neck Road which I did. At the Alerts, I spoke with a very professional gentleman who said with regret that their Fire Company really wasn’t equipped to handle situations like a trapped turtle, but he would make a few calls to see who would volunteer for this rescue mission. I next called to Volunteers for Wildlife in Locust Valley.
I explained the situation and they said they would try to find someone who wasn’t already in the field or on another call. In the meantime I went outside to the pond to see what was happening.
I was quite surprised to see mine and Jane’s friend, Robin. Robin is an animal rescuer and naturalist and there she was with her binoculars keeping track of the turtle.
Robin, an avid library user, had been in the library, heard the conversation about the turtle and decided to go outside to see if there was something she could do to help. By the way, she too called Jane for advice.
Shortly thereafter Joan and her husband Norman and Cooky arrived wearing boots and carrying gardening equipment with a long reach in preparation for an emergency rescue.
In the meantime the frantic turtle was thrashing about as the expedition started toward the water. At that moment I received a call from the Alerts that 4 volunteers were on their way to the Library with a raft to affect a rescue.
As soon as I hung up the phone, Volunteers for Wildlife called that they had someone en route. It was truly an amazing show of compassion and action.
Then, just like that, in a flash, the turtle, motivated I’m sure by all the activity and noise, gave a good yank, freed himself and swam away. Wow!
I made a quick call back to Volunteers for Wildlife telling them not to come, but they were quite concerned about the welfare of the turtle and still offered to come if the turtle was nearby or looked injured, but the turtle took off like a shot.
The four young volunteers from the Alerts were happy that the turtle was free but they looked to be a bit disappointed as they came prepared and determined to rescue the turtle.
I assured them that there will always be a next time and it was a great feeling to know that we could count on them and their fellow firefighters in any emergency.
It is truly heartwarming to see residents volunteer to do a good deed based on a phone call from a friend with the satisfaction of saving an innocent creature as their reward.
But it doesn’t end here. A few days later I received a phone call from friend and local writer and editor, Carol Frank.
Ms. Frank is very well known for her in-depth articles on local news and events, especially those that involve the environment and animals.
When Ms. Frank heard of the trapped turtle, she called Galvin Brothers, (466-3785) the company working with Nassau County and the County’s hydrogeologist, Brian Schneider on the Udall’s Pond project. Galvin Brother’s, Ed Galvin, was very concerned about the trapped turtle and offered his services should another animal get trapped in the netting.
By the way, Mr. Galvin reports that they previously freed a swan that was stuck in the netting, so our turtle getting stuck was not a onetime event. I know we all want to thank to Mr. Galvin in advance for stepping up to help should we need him.
In a return telephone call to Ms. Frank, Mr. Schneider, the county’s hydrogeologist, expressed concern about animals getting trapped in the netting, but also concern about the success of the project if the netting is taken down too soon. The netting was put in place to facilitate the re-growth of the plants in the pond.
However, Mr. Schneider has arranged an onsite meeting with Mr. Galvin from Galvin Brothers to assess the project’s progress. Mr. Schneider is very grateful (as are we!) that Galvin Brothers has offered to be a “lifeguard” should any more animals get trapped in the netting.
What a story!! However, let’s go back to the beginning: when will the Udall’s Pond project be done?
The goal of protecting the pond’s vegetation life is important and admirable, but have we reached the point where we witnessing preventable damage to the fauna while we are attempting to protect the flora. What constitutes a successful conclusion to the Project?
We are quite pleased that the project is being assessed and hopefully we have reached the point where nature can take over again heal the pond.
This episode ended positively and with the acquisition of really important information.
Let’s just hope this project is wrapped up real soon and the potential harm and danger to animal pond life eliminated.
Janet Fine
Great Neck
