Other Turtle Discussion :: She's gone.

[FLhaven4strays]

Liza escaped. She was by far my favorite pet - with the greatest personality!

I took out the old 130 gal pre-formed pond liner and kept it in the driveway w/ the 3 pond turts in it while I finished digging a 300 gal pond using a liner. That took 3 days, then I put the turts in the new pond while I worked on the fencing, rock edging, etc. - putting them back in the old tub at night or when I wasn't outside.

They all loved it and Liza - 9" penn cooter - was very curious...doing a lot of exploring on the land area. Then my 4 yr old cut her leg and I rushed inside w/o even thinking of getting them from the water & putting them up safely first. When I came back out 15 mins later Liza was gone. It took me about 10 minutes to realize she wasn't in the water and had obviously pushed out through the last bit of loose fencing I hadn't secured yet.

I've been looking everywhere - my yard as well as the neighbors - for 2 full days now. I feel TERRIBLE. The front yard where the pond is is NOT fenced - only around the pond area (which IS secured now). She could be anywhere - it's amazing how quick a large turtle can move. I've dug through bushes and the leaf piles under them. Sifted through all the loose dirt from the excavation. I've moved everything I can think of but can't find any trace of her. It's been in the 50's at night & I'm worried.

Now I have a nice new 300 gal pond to work on & play with...but watching it is just no fun at all. I miss her terribly, and feel guilty too that Mercer & Lucy just can't compare. Every time a car drives by I find myself hoping she hasn't wandered into the street (one horrible time I heard a loud crunching, but it was just an empty water bottle that was rolled over).

I haven't written her off...she wandered away once before during a cleaning and returned nearly 2 weeks later - I found her on her back after trying to climb back over the pond fencing to get home.

Sorry for the long ramble...I just had to confess to someone who doesn't think I'm insane for missing a huge turtle, and can understand the guilt a keeper feels knowing they let a tamed pet get lost.

[RESnTX]

I am so sorry to hear Liza wandered off. Losing a pet is a terrible, helpless feeling. I hope that she shows up again soon since it sounds like she knows her way back to her pond. Good luck, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[BullDog]

I'm sorry to hear that. If your pond is the only water in the area there's a good chance she'll head back that way. I really hope she finds her way home!

[steve]

Sorry to hear it! I'm glad you're not giving up... with temps that cool, she's probably buried herself somewhere. Dirt, leaves... my turtles will dig through almost anything.

She might attract the attention from your dog. I have some tips here... I hope they can help: www.redearslider.com/lost_turtle.html

[industrial_girl_2000]

Sorry to hear she wandered away! I really hope you find her soon!

[scripta_elegans]

Sorry to hear she ran away! I bet she'll come back. Just keep looking for her, and I bet you'll find her.

[SpotsMama]

Hopefully she'll come back to get to the water. Perhaps you can leave a bowl of water out or keep the ground damp near the pond. I bet she's buried herself somewhere.

[octpusgirl8]

Oh i'm so sorry, i know how worried you must be. Don't beat yourself up over it, these things happen sometimes, especially with outside pets. Keep looking, like Steve said she might not be very active if it's cool out. Keep an eye out during warm sunny periods, she might make an appearance then. Hopefully she'll show up soon. Feel better, and keep us updated!

[marisa]

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear this! Do you have neighbors nearby? If so, have you asked them or checked around their houses? I wouldn't worry too much about the night temps. Have you hosed down the yard? The moisture might draw her out if she's still anywhere in the yard. Good luck. I really hope you find her soon.

[Terryo]

Abby escaped from her pond...climbed over the fence..I found her 5 days later buried under a shrub in the yard, near the pond fence. I pulled up every shrub...searching. Keep the pump running, and maybe she will hear the water. I know how you feel I cried for 5 days. Didn't sleep a wink. I am praying for you to find her. Keep searching.

[Death]

We just lost a turtle also. Not sure if the lil turtle just escaped or if the dog got to him. After reading your post I am determined to look even harder for that turtle. Sorry to hear about your loss I know how you feel. We have only had our turtles for a few months but me and my son are both pretty sad about losing one. Hope yours turns up. Also is it possible for the other turtle to be sad or deppressed because he is acting different now?

[jwinters]

Eep, I hope you find her. Losing a pet to death is hard, but losing one alive is harder (in my opinion). My RES was quite an escape artist as a baby and I had to frantically tear my room apart for him several times.

[TurtleKid199]

She find her way back before right?
And she took two weeks time to come back
So cheer up!~~
Maybe she will be back anytime =)