Happinest Wildlife rehabilitates turtles from hoarding situation

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — After a man was accused of hoarding turtles, they were confiscated by the TWRA. A Chattanooga wildlife rehabilitation organization is now helping to nurse them back to health.

Inside this garage animals from possums to turtles are being rehabilitated by Happinest Wildlife.
Recently the organization received 14 eastern box turtles who were confiscated by the TWRA, after a hoarding situation.

“There was a gentleman who was hoarding them and holding them illegally. You can only acquire turtles through rehab or an education permit and so he had these turtles illegally,” said Sherry Teas, a licensed rehaber with Happinest Wildlife.

Turtles they normally see are injured by cars, lawnmowers or dogs attacks.

“So this is the first time we have ever required sick turtles that were emaciated. They had abscess, they were all very dehydrated, basically they were just being starved. He had found the turtles out in the woods and took them home and kept them. So we got these turtles in just deplorable condition,” Teas said.

These turtles are endangered.

“They are very threatened, It is very important that people know the requirements for these animals that not just anybody can have them. It takes a special diet, special humidity and environment to house them,” Teas said.

To help nurse them back to health, the organization relies on volunteers.

“The volunteers are really the cogs that keeps the machine running,” said Jery Harvey, with Happinest Wildlife.

For people who want to give their time there are options.

“There are any number of volunteer opportunities available for anyone who doesn’t want to get their hands dirty or does,” Harvey said.

In addition to volunteers, they are looking for donations to help these turtles.

“We need humidifiers, UVB lights and the lights for those turtles. It has cost us an additional 25 to 50 dollars a day for their meds their housing requirements,” Teas said.

Once healthy, the turtles will be placed with permitted educators, like universities, zoos or aquariums.