Several years ago, a dry cleaner in Connecticut noticed
their operation was part of a turtle migration route. Now, between May and
September, the job description there includes cleaning and pressing clothes and
toting turtles. Pameacha Pond is the site of a spring migration of Eastern
painted turtles, who have to cross a busy two-lane road to arrive and lay their
eggs. Later in summer, the turtle flow reverses. Tiny hatchlings no bigger than
a quarter start creeping through Best Cleaner’s back door, heading for the road.
“Every summer, we’re looking at our feet because we don’t want to step on
them,” assistant manager Jennifer Malon reports. Jennifer and other employees
at Best Cleaners routinely cross the busy road carrying the wee shelled
creatures. After their story hit the news, neighbors started dropping by to
lend a hand. “We’ve all helped bring at least one turtle across,” Malon explains.
“We’re used to it now; it’s part of the job almost.”
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