SAN MATEO DAILY JOURNAL (California) 10 January 05 Bay Area Briefs
Fullerton, Calif. (AP): A giant snapping turtle named “Old Bob” that was pulled from Laguna Lake last year is now in hiding while his handlers obtain state permits to keep the 50-year-old creature.
The 100-pound reptile is being kept at an unknown location in Orange County, his whereabouts guarded by local California Turtle and Tortoise Club officials.
Alligator snapping turtles like “Old Bob” are native to southeastern U.S. but illegal to have in California without the proper state permits. As such, the turtle club hopes to acquire restricted species permit from the California Department of Fish and Game, which costs $486 per year.
“We’re just hoping that somebody will come through that can obtain the proper permits; we would like to keep him in Orange County,” said Sharon Paquette, vice president of the club’s Brea-based Orange County chapter.
Steve Martarano, spokesman for Fish and Game, said the agency isn’t planning to deport Old Bob anytime soon.
“They need to get the permit, but they’re in a good place and we’re not going to really push them,” Martarano said. “We’re taking them on their word.”
Alligator snapping turtles are the largest of all freshwater turtles in North America, growing up to 250 pounds and living longer than 100 years. It has a wormlike tongue used to attract its prey, a huge head with a hooked beak and ridge-like shell.
Bay Area Briefs