$1,000 reward offered in snapping turtle beating at southeast golf course
June 11, 2013
By: Joanne M. Haas/Bureau of Law Enforcement
The Global Conservation Group of Watertown is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the beating of a snapping turtle at the Delbrook Golf Course in Delavan on June 10 between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m.
A Department of Natural Resources conservation warden received the call on June 10 about 9:30 a.m. The turtle, a female looking for a place to lay her eggs, was found lying in the sand bunker off Hole 4 North. Wildlife rehabilitators indicate the turtle had holes in its shell and also was struck in the right eye. It appeared to have been beaten with a golf club. The golf course superintendent saw the turtle about 7:30 a.m. when it was in the bunker preparing to lay her eggs, and was not in the condition reported about two hours later. The warden and the superintendent searched the bunker after 9:30 a.m. but no eggs were found.
Wildlife rehabilitators say surgery is planned for today to try to save the turtle’s life. The turtle has about a 40 percent chance of survival. The turtle was eggless, and rehabilitators say the turtle may have laid her eggs somewhere in the bunker.
If you have any information related to the beating of this snapping turtle at the Delbrook Golf Course in Delavan, please call the DNR Hotline at 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. Callers can remain anonymous.