An interesting
story brought to us by the Parish council, about a couple of abandoned
terrapins, so read on
2 terrapins were dumped in the pond some
years ago - probably unwanted pets. We took advice from various
wildlife organisations and whilst they are exotic species and therefore not
to be encouraged, it was agreed that provided they did not breed, no hard
would be done. Fortunately they must have been the same sex. We
are now down to one as the crushed remains of the other was discovered on
the road a few months ago.
Last week the library reported to me a
disturbing incident. Imagine the scene a mother with toddlers
gleefully watching the fluffy ducklings and then the terrapin appears.
Gasps of delight soon changed to horror when, so it was reported, in a swirl
of activity the terrapin and one duckling submerged. The duckling then
reappeared headless.
Whether this is typical terrapin behaviour we do not know - it's the only
report we have had. However it was felt removal of said terrapin now
named Hannibal to a less public spot i.e. Tower or Tutney pond might be
advisable. Predators will be predators after all. To date our
efforts to entrap Hannibal have been unsuccessful - he's a very wary
reptile.
The question now is what should be done with Hannibal? if anything. Should
we let nature take its natural course? Should we move him, if we an
catch him.
Answers and suggestions to
our guestbook or by email to
editor
|