Can they live in the wild?

[snakelover88]

I rescued two red ear sliders several months ago where they were living in deplorable conditions. They have tripled in size since in my care, and they are the first turtles I have ever owned. My question is, do you think that they would survive if released back in the wild? I am scared to death that they will be mistreated if I adopt them out again. I think they have a better chance in the wild than with another family who will neglect them. There is a very large pond behind my mothers house that is private and I was thinking about releasing them there. I have been feeding them lots of live fish, grasshoppers, mealworms to help kick in there instincts. But I was just curious of what everyone else thought. Thanks so much! Oh and one is a male about 8 inches long and the female is about 10 inches long. That is snout to tail.

[JLC]

Releasing captive animals into the wild is illegal every place I know and always a bad idea, even if there weren't specific laws forbidding it.

If you take in animals as rescues, then you have to be prepared to deal with the commitment that comes along with the rescue. I applaud you for that, but now that they're bigger and difficult to house, you still have that obligation. There's nothing wrong with trying to rehome them with a responsible keeper....but don't use "they might end up in a bad place again" as an excuse to just toss them into a pond somewhere. It's up to YOU to find them a good home if you can't keep them anymore.

[snakelover88]

Releasing captive animals into the wild is illegal every place I know and always a bad idea, even if there weren't specific laws forbidding it.

If you take in animals as rescues, then you have to be prepared to deal with the commitment that comes along with the rescue. I applaud you for that, but now that they're bigger and difficult to house, you still have that obligation. There's nothing wrong with trying to rehome them with a responsible keeper....but don't use "they might end up in a bad place again" as an excuse to just toss them into a pond somewhere. It's up to YOU to find them a good home if you can't keep them anymore.

That is exactly what I was thinking but everyone keeps saying to release them in the wild. I have no problem holding on to them until finding the right home, just wanted to get everyones thoughts on this. Thanks!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

You tool them as rescues and I applaud you for that however if you cannot or or no longer wish to care for them your responsibility if to re-home.