Turtle sighting at Bråvann in Vågsbygd raises concerns for safety in Norway

During a recent walk around Bråvann in Vågsbygd, Norway, Marit Leland encountered a surprising sight that left her both amused and concerned—a turtle. While walking her dog Dexter, Leland noticed the turtle while Dexter was sniffing around the water’s edge.

“I thought I was hallucinating or wondering what was happening. But it turned out to be a turtle,” Leland recalled, laughing. She often encounters other animals on her walks but had never seen a turtle before.

The unexpected visitor appeared to be without a home. Leland regularly takes Dexter for walks at Bråvann, where he typically looks for treasures. During their break for snacks, Dexter approached the water, but instead of just drinking, he was captivated by the turtle.

Concerned for the turtle’s well-being, Leland attempted to coax it back to the shore. However, the turtle retreated into its shell, floating further away.

Experts suggest the turtle may have been abandoned by its owner. Roar Solheim, a zoologist formerly with the Kristiansand Natural History Museum, expressed disapproval of the situation, stating that the turtle does not belong in the wild. He warned that if it isn’t rescued soon, it could die.

“Although turtles can hibernate in winter, there’s a high risk they will freeze to death,” Solheim pointed out. Leland has reported the discovery to the Kristiansand municipality, as she hopes to ensure the turtle’s safety, saying, “I don’t like the thought of it being left in the water.”