Wild box turtle on craigslist...ugh?

[Lokiza]

Sorry for posting in the wrong section, but I need some serious advice here!

While browsing craigslist (a site I try to avoid, as the animal listings always make me sad) I came across a listing for a box turtle that someone "kept from getting squished on the road", so it's a wild box turtle. I feel the need to inquire about the turtle now, because it's a wild box turtle that's been taken out of the wild...I just feel really bad for it.

I guess I'm just really confused and worried, what should I do? Is there any hopes of taking care of a once-wild box turtle in a domestic environment or would that be a horrible thing to do?

 

[Taterbug]

Maybe find out how long it's been in captivity? If it's not been very long perhaps you could find a wildlife center that could oversee it's release back to the wild. Hopefully they aren't trying to sell it... If so possession and sale of native reptiles is illegal in many states and you may be able to report them (not sure whom to though).

 

[JenessaDent]

That's really not a good thing of them to do, they should be re releasing it (obviously not back in the road, but somewhere nearby in tall grass, near water). People always think they're being the biggest conservationist by picking wild animals up and "saving" them, but the reality of it is, wild animals are not equipped to deal with us, and we aren't equipped to deal with them. While the turtle may be docile in nature, the fact that this person took it out of it's home, as I'm sure it's home was nearby, is going to stress the poor guy out to no end, and he may end up dying because of too much stress.

 

[Ofthelime]

Report this to the authorities, box turtles are threatened and a rehab crew should work on reintroducing it to the wild.
Interesting thing I was told about box turtles when they are taken from the wild they will roam endlessly looking for the place they once were. Many cats also do this.