On July 29, a Cranford resident spotted hundreds of box turtles abandoned along the Rahway River, prompting a swift response from New Jersey Fish and Wildlife officers who began collecting the animals.
The turtles, consisting of native eastern box turtles and non‑native three‑toed box turtles, were confirmed to have been illegally dumped, and a law‑enforcement probe is underway, though no perpetrator has yet been named.
At the Mercer County Wildlife Center in Hopewell Township, staff converted a whole building into temporary housing, and each of the 219 turtles has already undergone veterinary examination, X‑rays, and weight checks.
The center urged the public to donate money or supplies through its nonprofit partner rather than bring food, citing the high cost of specialized care, while volunteers and local officials coordinated transport and treatment.
With autumn approaching, the center is constructing two outdoor brumation stations—soil‑filled enclosures that mimic leaf litter—so the turtles can enter a natural winter cycle before the coldest weather arrives.
Once the turtles are acclimated, healthy eastern box turtles will be released into suitable habitats, and the three‑toed box turtles will be returned to wildlife agencies in their native range.