A Turtle Was Found with a Bright Blue Shell in Kentucky. Now Wildlife Experts Are Racing to Undo the Damage

**Kentucky Wildlife Centre Rescues Eastern Box Turtle Coated in Paint**

In a remarkable turn of events, a new homeowner in Campbellsville, Kentucky, recently discovered an Eastern box turtle adorned in a striking, unnatural sky-blue hue while exploring her recently purchased property. The surprising find has prompted an investigation and a public advisory regarding the treatment of wildlife in the area.

According to reports, the homeowner, taken aback by the vibrant colour, reached out to the Wilderness Trail Wildlife Centre, a local wildlife rehabilitation facility. A neighbour informed her that the turtle had likely been painted by a previous occupant of the home, leading to concerns about the animal’s wellbeing. Wildlife experts quickly sprang into action, collecting the turtle for examination.

Upon their assessment, the rehabilitation team discovered that the turtle had experienced more than a single application of paint. Beneath the blue layer, a thick coat of red paint was revealed, indicating it had been painted at least twice. The oil-based paint proved particularly troublesome, being dense and difficult to remove, which could pose serious health risks to the creature, as warned by wildlife rehabilitation specialist Tonya Poindexter.

Poindexter noted the importance of the turtle’s shell, stating that it is an integral part of the animal’s body and skeletal system, capable of healing and growing alongside the turtle. She condemned the act of painting wildlife, emphasising that such practices are harmful and inappropriate. “Putting paints and chemicals that were never intended for an animal onto that shell is simply not something we should be doing to wildlife,” Poindexter remarked.

The turtle’s painted shell has severely hindered its ability to camouflage itself from predators, a crucial aspect of its survival. Poindexter elaborated on the turtle’s natural defence mechanism, explaining, “Their natural brown, yellow and orange patterns blend beautifully with leaves, soil, and the dappled forest floor. Covering that natural camouflage with bright blue or red paint can make an animal that normally almost disappears into its surroundings stand out dramatically.”

Determined to protect the turtle, the team at Wilderness Trail made the decision not to release her back into the wild until the paint has been entirely removed. This meticulous process commenced with the turtle soaking in warm water, during which a team member gently scrubs the shell with a toothbrush and Dawn dish soap. For particularly stubborn sections of paint, the team applies small amounts of mineral spirits while carefully ensuring the turtle avoids inhaling any concentrated fumes, immediately followed by a thorough wash.

Poindexter has stressed that the public should refrain from attempting similar actions if they encounter a turtle that is painted, glued, or covered in tar. Instead, she urges individuals to reach out to licensed wildlife rehabilitators or veterinarians for assistance, underscoring the importance of professional support in these situations.

Once the turtle’s shell is adequately restored, the plan is to return her to the area where she was initially found, allowing her to reintegrate into her natural habitat. Poindexter hopes that the story of this unfortunate situation will serve as a valuable lesson for wildlife enthusiasts and the wider community. “I’d love for people to remember one simple thing from her story,” she concluded. “Eastern box turtles are already beautifully painted — by nature.”

As the rehabilitation team continues their efforts to restore this turtle to her natural state, the case has sparked conversations around the treatment of wildlife and the responsibilities of pet owners and residents. The community has been reminded of the importance of respecting local fauna and the potential consequences of misguided actions.