Council Given 10K To Tackle Dinner Plate-Sized Turtles Dumped In Kildare As ‘Cute’ Pets Outgrow Owners

Wednesday, 21 May 2025 11:16

By Martin Osborne

The money will be used as part of a wider plan to now develop turtle control protocols and best practice guidelines for a particular species of freshwater turtle known as the pond slider (Trachemys).

Hundreds of turtles, including dozens in Kildare, have been abandoned in waterways over the past 20 years, often bought for their cuteness but later dumped because they have grown to the size of dinner plates.

In a bid to tackle the issue, Kildare County Council has been given €10,000.

The money will be used as part of a wider plan to now develop turtle control protocols and best practice guidelines for a particular species of freshwater turtle known as the pond slider (Trachemys).

The turtles are considered invasive, often competing with local wildlife for food.

They can not breed in Ireland's climate.

They are mostly found in North America but have been dumped by owners unable to care for them.

In some cases, the turtles are found starving, unable to thrive in colder environments.

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