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ASHBURY PARK PRESS (New Jersey) 17 April 08 Signs to warn motorists of turtles (Michelle Gladden)

Colts Neck: Motorists who travel along Bucks Mill Road are being asked to heed a new warning sign — Turtle Crossing — Proceed With Caution.
The yellow and black signs were erected last month after a local resident lobbied the governing body at the January reorganization meeting to help protect the Eastern snapping, painted and box turtles that risk life and limb to plod across the roadway, an artery to Route 537.
"I've helped at least a dozen of them cross the road," two-year township resident Julie Rizzuto said. "But at least another dozen were hit."
Rizzuto, a self-described animal lover, said the turtles cross the roadway throughout the year, but the spring and summer seasons are particularly busy as they are attempting to mate, lay eggs and cross their young from one side of the street to the other.
"This is really a national epidemic," Rizzuto said. "I didn't realize how endangered they are. Although they are killed on a small scale here, in places like Florida they are being killed by the thousands."
Rizzuto said development near natural habitats, such as the recent change in the roadway's bridge that traverses Bucks Pond, leaves wildlife — including turtles, geese, ducks and deer — to adapt to the new landscape.
"When they rebuilt that bridge in 2000, there was no consideration for the turtles," she said. "I hope that this works, but if it doesn't, I'll push to have a culvert or a tunnel to be built so the turtles can cross safely."
She warns that anyone trying to help the reptiles by moving them out of the road should place them on the side of the road in which they were heading, unless doing so would prove to be unsafe.
"You should pick them up by the rear of the shell, never the tail," Rizzutto said.
The signs, placed on either side of the road, cost approximately $200, township Administrator Robert Bowden said.
"I'm glad to see that the township acted so quickly," Rizzuto said. "I've noticed a definete difference. I really do see people notice the sign and break a little. I think people are more aware."
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