NH Turtle Rescue

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Nottingham, NH
NH Turtle Rescue

Our meeting location for injured turtles is located at the intersection of Case Rd and Mill Pond Rd in Nottingham.

Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, release, and preserve native turtle species through individualized care, public education, outreach, and scientific research in support of imperiled populations of wild New Hampshire turtles. See our Location page for more information: https://nhturtlerescue.org/location

To make a donation: https://nhturtlerescue.org/donate

12/16/2025

Very excited to share this update on one of our longer-term patients here at NH Turtle Rescue: Jade 💚

Jade has been in our care for over two years. When she was admitted she was in critical condition. She had severe fractures along the entire left side of her carapace (top shell) and bridge. On top of that, she suffered significant head trauma, wouldn’t open her eyes, and avoided using her back limbs.

After months of care — medications, bandaging, supportive care, and more — her shell and external wounds healed beautifully. However, as her shell healed, the effects of her head trauma became increasingly clear. She struggled with mobility and continued to avoid using her back limbs, even though they weren’t significantly injured; this is a pattern we sometimes see with neurological injuries.

We’ve modified Jade’s enclosure numerous times to keep her comfortable and also encouraging movement and exercise. In her most recent setup, she could move around fairly well but still needed assistance climbing certain items, like her basking rocks. Though recently, we started a new physical therapy plan and saw promising improvement in her back limb use. That’s when we decided to take a chance: we set her up with an above-ground basking dock and a long gradual ramp to encourage her to climb up.

I checked on her several times a day, helping her up and down, expecting it would take a good amount of time before she could manage on her own. Then came the surprise: after just one week, Jade climbed the dock by herself! I was reviewing the live cams to see if she had even attempted it yet that day, and right then, I watched her scale the dock in real time (shown in this video).

We are absolutely thrilled with her progress. While release likely won’t happen this coming year, as she still needs to build strength, the possibility is becoming real. Seeing her go from barely opening her eyes and not using her back limbs, especially over such a long period of time, to where she is now is incredibly encouraging. Turtles are very slow healers but when you give them time and support, they can sometimes recover from the most awful injuries.

If Jade does return to the wild, she’ll have a long life ahead — she’s a sub-adult, and Blanding’s turtles can live 70+ years!

Thank you for cheering Jade on. We’re absolutely thrilled by this big milestone, and so proud of her and how far she’s come.

12/09/2025

Meet Miss Helga, a wood turtle spending the winter with us as she heals. Helga has been through a lot; she was hit by a car and suffered severe facial injuries. While her vision is limited and she’s still healing, she’s made a lot of progress.

Wood turtles absolutely love soft bodied invertebrates like earthworms and slugs, and they exhibit a super interesting behavior called worm stomping. They rock their bodies back and forth against the ground, creating vibrations that lure worms to the surface.

Why does this work? Scientists aren’t entirely sure. The behavior might mimic the vibrations of predators moving underground, or even the patter of raindrops. Whatever the reason, worms respond by emerging, and the turtle gets a meal. It’s a clever trick that several species have evolved, and wood turtles are masters at it.

Helga does this too, as shown in this video. At first, she wasn’t eating, and her stomping seemed like a signal that she wanted worms in particular. Though when offering them she would become startled, likely because her limited vision makes touch overwhelming right now. These days, she’s eating well and still stomps even while enjoying her food. Is it instinct? A comfort behavior? Something related to her injuries? We don’t know yet, but it’s very interesting to witness, and we’re just very happy she’s turned a corner and is enjoying food — a great sign of healing. Helga is just about ready for an enclosure upgrade as well.

If you’d like to see more worm stomping in action, Susquehannock Wildlife Society has a great video showing both a wild and a captive wood turtle doing this. We’ll link it in the comments so you can compare Helga’s behavior to theirs.

12/06/2025

$9,180! Wow! 🤯 With the help of our amazing supporters on Giving Tuesday, we met our goal and unlocked the entire $4,500 in additional matched donations to reach a total of $9,180 to benefit New Hampshire’s wild turtles!

We would like to thank the Modern Woodmen of America for their $2,500 contribution to our donation match, and to all of our incredible donors for their generosity to help us reach our target. We couldn’t do it without you! 🐢💚

12/02/2025

❄️ Happy First Snow Day & Giving Tuesday! ❄️

As the snow falls, we’re caring for the many turtles overwintering with us (and really hoping the power doesn’t go out haha).

Featured are some of the patients overwintering with us this season. And today is a special day to help them thrive!

Giving Tuesday is one of our two main annual fundraising events at NH Turtle Rescue, and this year your impact can go twice as far. Thanks to the Modern Woodmen of America’s $2,500 match and an additional $2,000 in matching funds from two generous supporters, every dollar you give will be doubled!

Here’s what your support made possible in 2025:
🐢 200+ injured turtles admitted for care
🐢 218 patient releases back to their wild homes
🐢 200+ hatchlings incubated from rescued eggs
🐢 18 educational programs delivered statewide

Your gift today helps us continue to help turtles in need: https://nhturtlerescue.org/donate/giving-tuesday 🐢💚

We are so incredibly appreciative of your support, and even if you’re not able to donate, we would greatly appreciate if you would share on social media to help us spread messages about turtle conservation and how we can be good neighbors to our shelled friends.

Thank you for helping turtles survive and thrive this winter!

12/01/2025

Patiently waiting for food time like 👀

These little hatchlings are Blanding’s turtles spending the winter in our care. Octavia, a Blanding’s turtle admitted to our clinic after being hit by a car earlier this year, was released in late summer after laying eight eggs while in care! We incubated them, and by the end of August, they hatched. Come spring 2026, Octavia’s babies will return to her home wetlands.

Right now, it’s far too cold for hatchlings to be on the move, but this year’s drought has had far-reaching effects. If you spot a hatchling anytime before next spring, please give us a call/text to (603) 417-4944. They should be hunkered down in their wetlands by now, so finding one on land is a concern and means they need to be admitted for a health check.

Blanding’s turtles are critically endangered in New Hampshire and listed as endangered by the IUCN, meaning they’re at risk throughout their range. If you ever encounter a Blanding’s turtle at any life stage, reporting it can make a huge difference! Submit sightings to NH Fish and Game’s RAARP program: https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/nongame-and-endangered-species/reporting-nh-reptile-and-amphibian-sightings. Report here or email a photo and location to [email protected].

⚠️ Important: Turtles face a very high risk of poaching. Never share locations publicly, and know that NH Fish and Game will never ask you to post locations on social media (unfortunately, there have been cases of individuals pretending to be F&G). Always limit details to the town where the turtle was found.

P.S. We apologize for our lack of presence on social media recently, it’s been very busy here tending to the patients and preparing for the winter. We’ll have more turtley updates to come! 💚🐢

11/06/2025

🛑 WILDLIFE PSA: Stormwater Drainage Structures 🛑

We want to alert our community to a recurring issue, especially during drought years, that’s had heartbreaking consequences for local wildlife. This year alone, we’ve responded to multiple cases of turtles becoming trapped in stormwater drainage structures.

In early October, we admitted Bombus, a juvenile Blanding’s turtle (photo in the comments). She was found in one of these structures with an emaciated adult male Blanding’s turtle who had likely been trapped for weeks. Despite our best efforts, the adult was minimally responsive on arrival and passed away shortly after arrival.

We’re incredibly grateful to the resident who spotted the turtles and got them help. Without that call, Bombus wouldn’t have survived much longer. She was cold, thin, and lucky to be found in time. She also was found underneath the other turtle, so we didn’t even know she was there at first. We are thrilled to report after receiving supportive care, she’s now recovering well and eating on his own!

While these structures serve an important purpose managing stormwater runoff, they can pose hidden dangers to wildlife, especially during drought conditions. With steep sides and no escape routes, they’re often impossible for wildlife to climb out of when the water is too low.

⛑️ How can you help?

If you live near a man-made stormwater drainage system or bioretention area (often found near parking lots, roadways, commercial developments, and housing subdivisions), please check them for turtles, especially during dry spells. Some structures have steep-sided basins or inaccessible outlets that can trap animals.

If you find a turtle in distress or identify a structure that poses a risk, please contact us. We can help assess the site and connect you with the resources to explore mitigation options. Thank you so much for looking out for your local turtles!

📸 This photo shows an eastern painted turtle who was also found trapped this summer. Thankfully, she hadn’t been there long and was rescued before temperatures dropped. She was quickly returned home.

Every turtle matters. Your vigilance could save a life. 💚

10/29/2025

Exciting news! 💚🐢

This year, we partnered with wildlife conservation photographer Ben Zackin to create a short documentary showcasing some of the work we do at New Hampshire Turtle Rescue.

Behind the scenes, Ben joined us for turtle releases, observed exams in our clinic, and interviewed the incredible volunteers and interns who help make our work possible. We’re excited to continue working with Ben on future conservation projects.

Based in Massachusetts, Ben focuses on local conservation efforts, fundraising, and public education. You can follow on Instagram for behind-the-scenes looks at upcoming films this fall and winter — including more turtle footage from our ongoing work together!

📽️ Check the comments for the YouTube link so you can watch and share the film with others.

Thank you so much for your continued support!

10/27/2025

Turtle zoomies! 🐢💨

Meet little Marzipan, who you might remember from our earlier post about her mom, Lemna. When I stopped by to check her tank at the end of the day, I caught her doing lap after lap — full-on turtle zoomies! I wish she hadn’t noticed me, but turtles are very perceptive and always seem to clue in quickly when they’re being watched.

Marzipan hatched from one of four eggs laid by Lemna, an eastern musk turtle who came into our clinic this spring. Lemna made a full recovery and returned home by the end of the season. Next spring, Marzipan will follow in her mom’s steps back to the same habitat.

Eastern musk turtles are highly aquatic and rarely venture far from water. They travel the least on land of any of our native aquatic species. Due to their natural history and the fact that they nest so close to the water’s edge, they’re a rare sight in wildlife rehab. We look forward to seeing Marzipan swim off into her new environment next season!

10/22/2025

Radiatori returns home! 🐢💚

This female eastern painted turtle was admitted in May after a dog attack. Thanks to quick action by her finders, she made a full recovery and this July was released back home. As you can see, Radiatori was more than ready to get back to her wild life!

Fun fact: Radiatori had more eggs than any other painted turtle we've ever admitted — 11 in total! While she’s a big girl, she wasn’t even close to the largest painted turtle we’ve seen. Can you imagine carrying that many eggs? We’ll share her radiograph in the comments so you can see for yourself!

Radiatori’s story is a great reminder: during nesting season (May–July), turtles are on the move, often passing through yards or looking for nesting spots. If you have dogs, please keep a close eye on them outdoors — a quiet moment can quickly turn into trouble. Dog attacks can be fatal if help doesn’t come fast. We’re so grateful Radiatori was found quickly!

This year, we went with a pasta theme for naming our painted turtles, so expect more deliciously named releases soon. Who knew there were so many types of pasta? 🍝😄

10/21/2025

🛑 Wildlife PSA: Please Don’t Attempt Medical Care on Wild Animals 🛑

The turtle pictured here is not the patient we’re discussing — this is a healthy Blanding’s turtle who was hit by a car earlier this season and is now healing beautifully at our facility. But today, we need to talk about something serious.

This week, we received an eastern painted turtle who had also been hit by a car. But before reaching us, well-meaning finders attempted to treat the injuries themselves. They poured antiseptic into the body cavity and tried to super glue the shell back together. They were very remorseful when they realized the harm this caused. This post is not to shame anyone. It’s to help prevent this from happening again.

We understand the instinct to help. It’s human nature to want to fix what’s broken, especially when an animal is suffering. But wildlife rehabilitation is far more complex than it appears. We intentionally don’t share photos or photos and videos of our shell repair techniques, because even a glimpse can give the false impression that these procedures are simple or replicable at home. They are not. We’ve heard many misconceptions — that we use super glue, duct tape, or other household items. We don’t.

Shell repair is delicate orthopedic work. One of the most difficult parts is unsubduction — realigning fractured bone pieces so they can fuse properly. If even one piece is misaligned, the shell may heal incorrectly or not at all. Stability is critical, and we use specialized tools and materials to achieve it — tools that are not available at home.

But shell repair is only one part of the process. We also provide fluids, pain relief, antibiotics and other medications, as well as sterile wound flushing with isotonic solutions (not tap water, which can cause pain and damage), bandaging and topical treatments tailored to reptiles, and a multitude of other treatments and procedures depending on the injury — there’s no one size fits all approach. And we have a veterinarian of record who assists with advanced surgical procedures, prescribing medications, and more.

Another critical aspect is the short-term and long-term husbandry to reduce stress, which is a killer. Reptiles are also ectothermic and highly sensitive to their environment and need specialized habitats depending on the species.

We’ve treated hundreds and hundreds of turtles. That experience matters. It helps us recognize hidden injuries, infections, and complications that others might miss. It helps us support healing in ways that go far beyond the visible wound.

So please — if you find an injured turtle or any wild animal — don’t try to treat it yourself. Reach out to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. If you’re passionate about helping wildlife, consider becoming a volunteer or asking a rehabber how you can get involved. But know that this work takes serious time, training, and a deep commitment to doing what’s best for the animal — not what feels best in the moment.

Thank you for caring. Thank you for learning. And thank you for helping us protect the wild lives that depend on us.

10/20/2025

This is beautiful miss Elvira, a Blanding’s turtle ambassador currently in care at NH Turtle Rescue. Elvira has been with us since May 2023, and she’s been brightening our days ever since.

She’s endlessly curious and a total food fiend. In the mornings she watches me prep meals for the other turtles from her spot with a view of the kitchen — stretching her neck as far as she can to see what’s on the menu. She cracks me up daily!

Elvira is a natural ambassador. She’s comfortable around people and helps us teach the public why turtles should never be taken from the wild — and why Blanding’s turtles are so important to protect. She started attending outreach events this summer and absolutely stole the show. Everyone who meets her falls in love.

Elvira was surrendered to NH Fish and Game after being kept in captivity for two years in what we can only assume were very poor conditions, based on the severity of her health issues when she arrived. You can read more about Elvira’s story and how she came to us at NH Turtle Rescue: https://nhturtlerescue.org/stories/ambassadors/elvira

🐢 Please never take hatchlings from the wild. It’s harmful to the ecosystem and devastating to their long-term health and survival. Learn more about why wild turtles should always stay wild: https://nhturtlerescue.org/info/keep-wild-turtles-wild

10/17/2025

Join Us TOMORROW at SELT’s TrailFest! 🌿🎉

We’re wrapping up an incredible year of events with a final celebration of 2025 — and we hope to see you there!

📅 Saturday, October 18th
🕙 10 AM – 3 PM
📍 Burley Farms, 247 North River Road, Epping, NH

TrailFest is hosted by the SELT - Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire, an inspiring organization dedicated to conserving and caring for New Hampshire’s lands for the benefit of both people and wildlife. Their proactive work protects critical habitats for turtles and all wildlife, and we’re proud to support one of our favorite organizations.

🔗 Learn more: https://seltnh.org/trailfest/

Let’s celebrate the season, the land, and the amazing work SELT is doing. See you at TrailFest!

Address

Pre-arranged Drop Off Location For Injured Turtles: Intersection Of Case Road And Mill Pond Rd
Nottingham, NH
03290

Website

https://www.nhturtlerescue.org/, https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/38T7DLCQWC2GP, https://www.nhturtlerescue.org/d

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