Whittier Tech students raising endangered turtles

Dec. 9—HAVERHILL — Students at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School are raising two baby turtles this school year through a state program that seeks to protect endangered species.

Pinky and Shelldon are a breed known as Blanding's turtles, which live in fresh water and are considered among the most endangered turtles in the Northeast, school officials said.

The two turtles arrived at Whittier Tech in October through a program operated by the state Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

The Parker River Clean Water Association in Byfield, supported by grants from the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program and the Mass. Environmental Trust, collected hatchlings along the upper Parker River for care.

Pinky and Shelldon live in science teacher Ryan Burke's room in a tank with shallow, clear standing water and abundant aquatic vegetation, replicating their natural habitat, officials said.

Students clean the tank once every two weeks and also record the turtles' growth and weight, and share data with other participating schools.

In their first month at the school the turtles grew from about one-quarter inch in length to about two inches, due to their care and feeding by students and staff.

"They are clearly very comfortable here at Whittier," said Burke, who is advisor to the Environmental Club, which has taken a leading role in the turtle project.

Pinky and Shelldon will be returned to state care in the spring and released back into the wild, where they will be tracked and monitored by state biologists.

"The turtles have quickly become part of the Whittier community. The students love them," Whittier Superintendent Maureen Lynch said. "The real benefit is that our students are seeing how they can take an active role in saving our environment, and in ensuring that an endangered species will grow and eventually thrive."