A terrapin was rescued after crossing a busy road in Nottinghamshire on Tuesday afternoon. The creature had wandered into traffic on Colwick Loop Road in Gedling, near the junction with Magenta Way, prompting a motorist to pull over and alert authorities.
Nottinghamshire Police responded when PC Chris Brentnall was travelling along the route shortly before 15:00 BST. The officer initially believed he was stopping to assist a broken-down vehicle, but the driver had actually pulled over after spotting the shelled creature stranded in the middle of the road. Brentnall brought the animal to safety.
Initial assessment and veterinary care
The officer reported that the reptile appeared to be in good condition with no visible injuries. The creature was transported to a veterinary centre where staff conducted a thorough examination and scanned it for a microchip to identify any owner.
During the check-up, what had initially been assumed to be a tortoise was identified as a yellow-bellied slider—a type of non-native terrapin. This species is not legal to own in the United Kingdom and cannot be released into the wild under wildlife protection regulations.
What happens next for the terrapin?
Minister Vets in Burton Joyce confirmed the terrapin was unharmed following its ordeal on the road. Since no owner could be traced through the microchip scan or other means, the facility arranged for the creature to be transferred to a licensed rescue centre in Kent, where it will receive ongoing care and be properly housed in accordance with regulations governing non-native species.
The incident highlights the challenges posed by non-native animals entering public spaces, particularly when they end up on busy roads where they face significant danger from traffic.
