May 22 (UPI) — Wildlife officials in Massachusetts were called out to an Essex County pond to capture an unusual non-native animal: a nearly 60-pound alligator snapping turtle.
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife said on social media that local residents contacted freshwater turtle biologist Trina Wantman and said they suspected a new arrival in their pond might be an alligator snapping turtle.
The species is native to warmer waters ranging from Louisiana to southeastern Iowa, and they are not found naturally in Massachusetts.
“This turtle was struggling in our colder climate, and based on her condition, our biologists believe she was likely released after being illegally kept as a pet,” the post said.
The female turtle was taken to the New England Wildlife Center where she is being treated for severe pneumonia.