Drought and Responsible Water Useage: Why Did the Turtle Try to Cross the Road?
Found a box turtle on my walk last evening, hunkered down in its shell. Nearly missed it in the dusky light, but I saw it had one foot touching the pavement. Poor guy was trying to cross the intersection to reach what had been a pond the year before. He didn't know the drought had dried up that pond months ago.
I carried him the mile back to our house, put him in the car, and drove him to a creek four miles away. The creek was dry, but there were muddy areas and vegetation. Considered leaving him, anyway, until I spotted the dead armadillo. No signs of trauma - how far had this armadillo walked only to die of thirst beside the dried-up stream bed?
Brought the turtle back home, fed him, and let him wander around the bathtub all night. The next day, I drove him past the two dried up ponds, across three, bone-dry, low-water crossings, and released him in a creek 17 miles away.
He was lucky - but how many thousands of other critters, like the armadillo, are dying of thirst? We all depend on water - but wildlife can't turn on the spout or drive 17 miles. You and I need to think twice about using our water resources more responsibly. After all, it's their water, too.
by Karen Hulene Bartell
