Turtle crossings to help endangered species in Vt.
January 06,2012
VERNON — An endangered species of turtle in Vermont is getting some help with traveling.
Fifteen turtle crossings have been installed over a 700-foot section of railroad track that runs parallel with Route 142 in Vernon.
Organizers said the pathways will help the spotted turtles’ journey to their documented nesting areas in a swamp. Federal money for rail grants helped with the project.
Construction foreman Roger Hutchins told the Brattleboro Reformer what has happened is that some turtles get in between two rails and if they’re in there too long during the summer, they will starve or bake in the sun.
The spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata is on the state’s endangered species list. It has round yellow spots and a colored blotch on each side of its head.
