Wildwood Zoo Acquires Endangered Turtle
Millie the Ornate box turtle has a new friend at Wildwood Zoo.
Vanillie, the same species as Millie, arrived at the zoo on June 15 and joined the turtle exhibit after a brief quarantine.
“We made sure she was in good physical condition, eating well, and had time to settle in from her trip here before putting them together. Their introduction went very smoothly!” said Sarah Storandt, Assistant Zookeeper.
“Typically multiple female box turtles will do very well together in an exhibit. It is only when you introduce multiple males that things can get complicated,” said Steve Burns, Zoo Manager.
Vanillie arrived from New Mexico Wildlife Center in Española, New Mexico and was believed to be a former pet due to her bright red painted toenails and signs of malnutrition upon admission.
Now, she’ll make her home inside the turtle-turned-butterfly exhibit at the zoo. Housing plans for the two turtles are still in discussion, with the upcoming Welcome Center as a possibility.
“She is outgoing and is very comfortable being around people, making her a great candidate for an educational animal,” said Storandt.
Vanillie can be distinguished by her reddish brown eyes compared to Millie’s golden irises. Millie also has more vibrant coloring on her legs and feet.
“Since their exhibit is so large and natural, they find the majority of the food themselves (grasses, flowers, worms, bugs) and we provide them with plenty of greens, diet supplements, worms, and occasionally fruits and vegetables, their favorites being strawberry!” said Storandt. “We check on them multiple times daily and weigh them once a week to make sure they are in good condition.”
In Wisconsin, Ornate box turtles are an endangered species with attempts by the DNR to restore populations by raising young in protected environments and preserving habitats. The turtles are mostly found in the southern part of the state in their natural environment, which includes dry open and semi-open woodlands, oak savannas, and mesic prairies.
