A snapping turtle clawing at the front door is not a regular occurrence for most Londoners, but at Alan Graham’s house, it happens nearly every year.
When one showed up on his porch three days ago, he did what he always does: he set the turtle in his wheelbarrow and ferried it to its destination.
Graham lives just off Killarney Road in northeast London. On one side of his house lies the Highbury Wetlands Trail and on the other, the Thames River. Every summer, turtles set out from ponds along the trail, crossing the busy road to make the slow trek down to the river. They must have always taken the same route, Graham said, but growing residential neighbourhoods in the area have become confusing obstacles in their path. So, when they show up on his porch looking lost, he said he wants to help.
“The first one this year just looked so dehydrated, it looked like it had been there for hours,” he said. “I thought, ‘I’m gonna get it to the river as quickly as I can.'”
The very first encounter Graham had with one of the snapping turtles was about 15 years ago when he heard a scratching noise at his door. Nervous, but determined, he put on thick gloves, got behind it and safely picked it up.
“Every time you go to pick it up it really just snaps, and it’s so fast it the whole body shakes,” he said. “It’s very scary.”
After years of experience, Graham said he doesn’t hesitate. He just grabs the turtle, sets it in his wheelbarrow and tries his best to stay behind it the whole time.
Until recently, it seemed to be the same turtle coming back year after year, as it was large and recognizable— two feet long and about 30 pounds. But so far this year, two smaller ones have shown up, instead. Of course, they also got a free ride in Graham’s wheelbarrow.
“I feel bad that we are kind of imposing on their normal routes and their life,” he said. “Other animals too, like deer and wild turkeys and beavers, they’re all in the area and they’ve all had to adjust because of us.”
Graham likes to share photos and videos of the turtles online and people are always happy that another one has made it there safely, he said, especially as Killarney Road gets busier and busier.
Unfortunately, not every traveling turtle makes it across the road, he said, remembering a year when one was hit by a car. He said he would like to see drivers in the area be more vigilant.
“Make sure that you slow down if you see a turtle coming and stop completely,”
