S'pore drivers rescue stranded turtle from busy roads along Yishun Dam

Every life matters.

Ashley Tan | June 15, 2021, 01:34 AM

Several Good Samaritans spotted a stranded turtle and successfully prevented a case of roadkill near Yishun Dam.

Turtle hiding in central divider

One Jesie Kaur told Mothership that she was driving across Yishun Dam on June 13 when she saw a turtle in the middle of the busy road.

Knowing that the turtle had to be rescued before "it was too late", Kaur made a U-turn.

By then, the turtle had managed to cross the road and was seeking shelter in a small hole in the central divider.

Kaur shared that she tried to help the stranded creature, but "it was too hard as there were too many cars".

She also observed that the turtle had apparently been hit but was still "alive and strong".

Thankfully, two other passers-by spotted her struggle and U-turned to help. The two men lifted the concrete cover from the divider to access the turtle hidden away in the hole.

From the video sent to Mothership, it is difficult to tell what species it is.

Video from Jesie Kaur

With the turtle clasped firmly in one man's hands, the two men made their way across the road while evading traffic.

Video from Jesie Kaur

Released it into water

The men made their way down the grassy slope and subsequently released the turtle into the water.

Kaur noted that it was "scorching hot", and expressed her hope that the turtle would recover.

Video from Jesie Kaur

Video from Jesie Kaur

Kaur applauded the men's actions:

"This was a beautiful sight! Two people of different races coming together for one purpose, to save the turtle. No discrimination, no judgement. Just love and a big heart!"

More about turtles found in Singapore

There are a few species of turtles that can be found in the wild in Singapore.

Turtles are amphibious, meaning they can live both in water and on land.

Some turtles seen in reservoirs could also be released pets such as red-eared sliders. Releasing pets into the natural habitats however is harmful to both the ecosystem and the animal itself, the National Parks Board said.

Most of the time, released animals will not survive as they are unable to fend for themselves in a foreign environment. Their presence can also disrupt the ecological balance as they compete with native species or could transmit diseases to latter.

Top photo from Jesie Kaur