TIMES LEADER (Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania) Just ignore that turtle...

TIMES LEADER (Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania) 15 July 05 Just ignore that turtle, game expert advises - A debate rages over a local police officer’s shooting of a snapping turtle last week. (Kevin Amerman)
What should you do if a large snapping turtle waddles onto your property?
“The best thing to do it just leave it alone,” said Chris Baker, park manager of Frances Slocum State Park in Kingston Township. “If you leave it alone for 30 minutes it will probably leave.”
Dan Tredinnick, spokesman for the state’s Fish and Boat Commission, agrees.
“That’s the best thing to do, just go your separate ways,” Tredinnick said. “The turtle will eventually go away, albeit probably a litter slower than you.”
Last week, a snapping turtle estimated to weigh 50 pounds, wandered onto the Exeter yard of James Fino. Fino said he tried to poke the turtle away with a broomstick and the turtle snapped it in half with a quick bite. Fearing the turtle would attack someone, especially a child, Fino called police.
Exeter police Sgt. Len Galli shot and killed the turtle after it snapped at him.
Baker said he has seen many snapping turtles of all sizes in the state park since he started working there about a year ago and he has never heard of a park visitor or employee being bitten by one.
Baker said snapping turtles only snap and bite objects or animals if they are eating or if they feel threatened. He said he has been snapped at while picking up snapping turtles from behind, but has never been bitten. Baker did say a turtle can extend its neck to stretch to the middle of its shell to protect itself.
Their necks usually shoot their heads forward, but Baker said he has seen them stretch their heads back toward their shells.
“Some animals’ immediate instinct is to run,” Tredinnick said. “Running is not necessarily their forte, so that might account for them being a little prickly. But they’re not known for deliberately going at people.”
Baker said snapping turtles don’t chase their prey, they sit and wait for a tasty opportunity. He said their legs can give them a quick burst of speed, but can’t maintain a fast pace for long.
“No one in moderately decent health should have a problem outrunning or outwalking one,” he said.
Baker said snapping turtles feed on fish, frogs, ducks and other animals and can get “pretty large.”
“I’ve seen them as small as a 50 cent piece and as large as 50 pounds or larger,” Baker said.
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