Suwon City Captures 284 Red-Eared Slider Turtles, Invasive Species

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City and the red-eared slider turtle capture team announced on the 9th that they captured 284 turtles from April to October at major habitats including reservoirs and ponds in the Suwon area.

The red-eared slider turtle, originally from the Mississippi region of the United States, is an ecosystem-disrupting species inhabiting ponds and reservoirs in the region.

It has a dark green shell with complex yellow and yellowish-green patterns, and a bright yellow belly with scattered spots. The head is large with a red line on the side. The shell length measures approximately 15cm for males and 20cm for females.

Known for strong reproductive capacity and ease of care, it was popular as a pet. Additionally, due to its low price, it was frequently used in religious events such as animal release ceremonies and was released into rivers.

However, as an omnivore that indiscriminately feeds on native fish species and crucian carp, the population of the Korean native yellow pond turtle declined as red-eared slider numbers increased and habitats overlapped. Consequently, the Ministry of Environment designated the red-eared slider as an ecosystem-disrupting species in 2001.

In Suwon, the species inhabits reservoirs, ponds, and rivers, and is identified as disrupting the ecosystem.

In response, the city prioritized capturing turtles in areas with high habitat density or high ecological impact with the help of the red-eared slider capture team.

The capture operations, conducted as volunteer work by the capture team, were carried out over 22 sessions at Manseok Reservoir, Seoho Reservoir, Sindae Reservoir, Woncheon Reservoir, Gwanggyo Reservoir, and the Veterans' Association pond, among other locations.

Next year, the city plans to continue eradication efforts in cooperation with the red-eared slider capture team and will seek regular management methods.

Park Dae-ho, head of the red-eared slider eradication team, said, "If you must dispose of a red-eared slider turtle kept as a pet, do not release it into reservoirs or rivers, but bury it in the ground by turning it over," and "We hope that for unavoidable animal release events, native Korean species will be used instead."