05/26/2026
🚨 COMMUNITY ALERT: 2 Red-Eared Slider Turtles Illegally Dumped in Topaz Lake 🚨
We need your help, Mono County! Over Memorial Day weekend, two non-native Red-Eared Slider turtles were reported to be dumped into Topaz Lake.
If you are out near the lake and spot these turtles, please attempt to safely contain them (a tall plastic bin or bucket works great) and contact Mono County Animal Services immediately at (760)965-9606 or (760)932-7407 for pickup.
Here is why this is a serious issue for our community and our local ecosystem:
🐢 They Are an Invasive Species: Red-Eared Sliders are not native to our beautiful Eastern Sierra waters. They are highly aggressive competitors and will easily outcompete local wildlife for food, nesting sites, and basking spots, disrupting the fragile balance of Topaz Lake.
🛑 Dumping Animals is Illegal: Intentionally releasing a pet into the wild isn't just irresponsible—it is punishable by law under California Penal Code 597s as a misdemeanor, carrying heavy fines and potential jail time.
💔 It is Inhumane: Captive-bred pets do not have the natural survival instincts to handle our climate, native predators, or specialized ecosystems. Releasing them into the wild is not "giving them freedom"—it is exposing them to starvation, disease, and a slow, cruel death.
We understand that circumstances change and taking care of a pet can become overwhelming. **Please do not resort to abandonment.**
If you or someone you know has an animal they can no longer care for, reach out to us directly. We will work with you, no questions asked, to assist with safe, legal rehoming and placement.
Let's keep Topaz Lake beautiful, balanced, and safe for our native wildlife. Please share this post to spread the word! 🌲💧
**Picture is for reference**