Threatened by a slow mover
I just want to go home. (Chip Brewer FB)
For an old guy, he’s got bite.
But then again, everyone tends to get snippy when forced out of their neighborhood without notice.
Police stopped him as he was attempting to walk home after Hurricane Harvey’s flooding because it was dark, he was stopping traffic on Memorial Drive, and, not to mention, he appeared to be between 70 and 100 years old. (He was too busy trying to leave to confirm.)
All 89 pounds of him firmly resisted Houston Police Officers’ offers of assistance. (Must believe that no one will ever take as good of care of you as you will yourself. Self reliance worked for him for years…)
Still, police insisted the giant alligator snapping turtle get checked out, so he was carefully loaded into a special van and whisked to the Wildlife Center of Texas for evaluation.
Happy to say, the endangered gentleman was determined to be hale and hearty and was given a lift back to his Buffalo Bayou habitat Tuesday afternoon. No place like home.
“Slow down! Turtle stops traffic on Memorial Drive” (More Video from scene)
Some slow motion is snappy action
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Oh, more good news:
Houston has been no kill animal rescue for a week thanks to Houston Pets Alive. Keep up the good work and increasing hope. So many animals displaced and so many families making the tough decision to surrender pets. (Video of their work here) Big thanks to all the volunteers and to Dr. Jeff, Rocky Mountain Vet and to Animal Planet for coming to Houston and helping raise awareness to the animals impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
Texas Animal Health Commission and partners have assessed more than 24,662 livestock by air or ground and continues to work with partners to help coordinate hay donations and deliveries. Operation Air Drop(more pictures there): when stranded livestock marooned by flood waters can’t be reached by boat or vehicle, the Texas Army National Guard is flying in and air dropping more than 210,000 pounds of hay, generously donated by individuals across the state and nation.
Helicopter loaded with hay for stranded livestock. (USDA Sec. Sonny Perdue.Twitter)
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Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
I just knew when I came across this story last night that you’d snap to and pick it up (the story, not the turtle). I’m glad that he got rescued, and I’m equally glad that all the turtles I’ve come across have been dinner plate sized — and not snappers!
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I was surprised when they said the little ones are far more aggressive. Guess it’s like dog breeds HA HA
Happy to notice the local sunning spot north of the middle school bridge is once again hosting turtle parties. Before the storm sometimes you could see a crowd of 8 or more enjoying the place. If the giant turtle is any indicator, even turtle know there’s no place like home and head back there.
Humans despite their big heads are not as different as they think? HAHA
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glad the turtles found a good place… I can not imagine what the people here would say if such a turtle would walk over our streets… ;o)
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Such a cool turtle. So glad he was spotted and given a little assist. He was bound to be tired. Thanks for dog paddling by
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From my experience Alligator snappers can move plenty fast when necessary, stay away from those jaws.
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Rather like alligators that look like logs – until they decide to eat. Apparently the smaller version are even more aggressive…similar to a large dog vs a tiny one? Thanks for swimming a comment this way
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Glad to hear about the cattle. I worry about them too. The don’t get much press but suffer as much as any other living thing during a natural disaster.
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Dad always said “If the creek rises, open the gate and give the animals a chance.” (But we never built anything in the river bottom lands – lush, but sooner or later, it floods and you better get the cattle out.) The rescue horse ranches say the ones they rounded up are now all healed and fit. If owners don’t contact them, they will go up for adoption (and one really cute appaloosa yearling) Sigh. Good thing we don’t have a farm, barn, and lots of land. We’d be gathering them up.
You’re right about the coverage. Guess it’s because they can’t fill air time with emotional stories as the animals rarely speak on cue and are not interested in being on tv? Thanks for swimming along
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I am sure it is massive, the injury to and relocation of wildlife and livestock in that area. I saw where Oklahoma farmers and ranchers were assisting livestock with donations of hay, feed and some medications.
Wildlife is surely resilient. Glad the old snapper was placed back in the old stomping grounds. There certainly is no place like home.
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Animals are slowly making their way back home. TX wildlife has asked people to please keep their distance and watch out as animals are on the move. We know critters are crossing the yard at night – Molly can hear them and monitors the smells by the water bowl each morning. Right now she gets a late night walk instead of the back yard – I have smelled skunk…(“don’t bother us and we won’t bother you.” HAHA)
Sister-in-law vet/ rancher out west TX sends us the ag. updates. People out there immediately loaded up trailers and headed this way. Helicopters became the best delivery method. This storm really smashed 60% of the state’s rice crop. You know the farmers and ranchers will be the last to get (or expect) aid.
But the hummingbirds and monarchs have started showing up in the area on their way south. Getting back to life. Thanks for stacking in a comment
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That is one big turtle. Yep, there is no place like home and he will do just fine in the Bayou;
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Funny how both man and beast put going home – even if it’s a mess – at the top of the list for feeling better. This guy is probably thrilled with Mother Nature’s redecorating
Thanks for slipping in to comment
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Couldn’t be more pleased or impressed. Well done Texas.
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Who couldn’t stop and give a older gentleman a lift? Manners count.
Thanks for rounding up a comment
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Does that cover me too?
The lift I mean,
“Manners maketh the man” – Olde English Adage
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Ah, but you are already out of your shell. HAHA
(I cannot tell you how many times my very proper Grandmother repeated that adage…part of upbringing in that part of the world – or used to be)
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Your grandmama was English?
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Both sides – back past The Magna Carta. (She was so concerned we were being we’d not reflect our heritage (and manners) properly. Mom gave up – but never Grandmother. We didn’t really expect invitations to the weddings though 🙂
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seems that daughters gave up too, an English daughter would say Mum or more probably Mummy, not mom. says he facetiously 😀
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My mom probably made Grandmother feel faint. She wanted to be an archeologist in Egypt and studied science – most unladylike…no wonder Grandmother thought we were growing up like heathens – wearing pants and all. She fought with my dad over their choice I should take Spanish in school instead of “proper civilized languages” like Latin and French I still remember that disagreement. But dad said, “This is Texas and she will need Spanish.” (She spoke 5 languages and was a translator during WW II) Once free in college I did take French – which pleased her greatly…even if I did wear jeans…
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I’d have loved your grandmother, my kind of woman!
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We don’t have snapping turtles out our way, Phil. Mainly I see mud turtles and I am sure they are more than happy to dip under the water in case of whatever. As for cattle, the fire folks out here were urging people to get livestock out of the area ASAP. The cow/horse/sheep/goat/pig sanctuary next to us was pleading for trucks to help move their animals, and help arrived. Fortunately the fires were stopped before they got to our side of the road. –Curt
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Nothing is more frightening than fire. Can’t out run it – can’t really hide from it. Whew.
We raised mostly timber on our farm with enough cattle to keep the weeds down and the ticks off us. No chickens. My mom got stuck tending chickens as a child and swore never again – they can be darn cantankerous – she had scars…
May all the smoke on your horizons be harmless. Thanks for gathering up a comment to leave.
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Luckily, Phil, rain has come and the fires are receding. May they continue to do so. I went over to the coast this week to escape the smoke and came home to relatively clear skies. What a relief!
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Seas and oceans cure most anything (except for the poor unfortunates that can’t take the waves…must have been pirates in our past somewhere :). )
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And future, I’m sure. 🙂
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