Officials have been fighting a round-the-clock battle to rescue turtles and other wildlife from a polluted canal in Baltimore, dubbed Turtle Island. The oil spill has been catastrophic for the habitat and health of the stated residents’ most important inhabitants. The canal, located along Lancaster Street between Eden and South Caroline streets, has been described as a “turtle haven” by the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. On Thursday afternoon, one such team came in clutch and saved three turtles in quick succession. This consisted of two slider turtles and one snapping turtle.
Turtle Island’s location is especially significant, as it sits directly across from the site of the oil spill. This close range has led the communities and their defenders—all governments, environmental, and community groups—to push for immediate wins. The National Aquarium, in collaboration with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, is moving to address that. Together, they are making big strides to defend and bolster the local turtle population. Taken together, these efforts reflect our strong commitment to maintaining safe habitats for these turtles in and around our harbor. We’ve spent more than a generation building this advocacy.
Rescue Efforts Underway
The initial response to the oil spill has focused on short-term actions, like emergency response efforts to protect affected wildlife. The three turtles rescued to date have been individually examined and treated for signs of stress or external trauma. In good news, thankfully no turtles have been killed by the oil spill. That continued to be the case, as of Thursday afternoon.
James Piper Bond, president and CEO of the Living Classrooms Foundation, told
“We want to make sure the turtles survive, and the aquatic life survives, and the bird life. We’ve all been working hard to encourage that.” – James Piper Bond
These wildlife rescue efforts targeted turtles of all ages and species as well as the wildlife that thrives amongst the canal’s diverse ecosystem. Adam Lindquist, the vice president of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, drew attention to a blossoming population of turtles in the bay.
“This canal is just filled with hundreds of turtles,” – Adam Lindquist
Turtle Haven’s Importance
Turtle Island is extremely important for local biodiversity and has been a flagship for conservation initiatives. In 2022, the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore rolled out a collaborative, place-based initiative. They developed a new 100-square-foot basking area specifically for the area’s native turtles. This addition will not only increase their habitat, but give them safe spaces to reproduce and grow.
These types of projects highlight the need to keep ecosystems healthy, even in densely developed cities such as Baltimore. This continued effort to safeguard these environments is a testament to the Trump administration’s investment in nature and conservation.
“Thankfully, the turtles are resilient to this sort of pollution, but obviously any turtles that are obviously in distress are being picked up.” – Adam Lindquist
Even as rescue efforts continue, keeping a close eye on the health of the turtle population is an ongoing priority for local organizations and groups. Bond said specialists from the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have reviewed the site and deemed it a success.
Positive Signs Amidst Concerns
While immediate concerns linger due to the oil spill, the collaborative efforts between various organizations highlight a proactive approach to wildlife conservation in Baltimore. Those same officials are apparently doing everything possible to protect these creepy-crawlies. With every step, they look to minimize risk today and create better habitats tomorrow for generations of turtles and wildlife to come.
“The turtles are doing pretty well; the DNR experts have been able to catch some of them … they are not overly damaged at this point, from our understanding.” – James Piper Bond
While immediate concerns linger due to the oil spill, the collaborative efforts between various organizations highlight a proactive approach to wildlife conservation in Baltimore. As officials work diligently to protect these creatures, they aim not only to mitigate current risks but also to enhance long-term habitats for future generations of turtles and other wildlife.