Traps set for turtles

Thames: The Waikato Regional Council is having to set up turtle traps as ponds at a Coromandel beach have became inundated with the animals.

Biosecurity officer Andrew McConnell said the redeared slider turtles, which can live for up to 30 years, were often bought as pets.

Pet turtles were allowed for sale in New Zealand because it was thought the climate was too cold for their eggs to incubate and hatch. However, turtle eggs and hatchlings have been sighted at Cook’s Beach. — RNZ