Vandals take aim at Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area

ILLEGAL ACT: This Western painted turtle was found dead at Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. It is unlawful to harass, capture or kill painted turtles and none other than game animals should ever be killed on the wildlife area. Submitted photo

While most visitors to the wildlife area treat it with care, a few have been abusing the area and the wildlife that live there. Recent vandalism has included damage and theft of signs, killing of non-game wildlife, dumping of trash and vandalism to restrooms. Managers are asking visitors to report illegal activity to law enforcement or to wildlife area staff at 541-963-4954.

Some of the signs damaged and stolen were those made as part of an Eagle Scout project.

Larson also recently found a dead painted turtle with an arrow through it on the wildlife area.

Cathy Nowak, wildlife area biologist, said “western painted turtles are our only native turtle and they are a protected species. It is unlawful to collect or kill them under any circumstances, but it is especially cruel to shoot one and leave it to die like that.”

In another attack on native wildlife, someone, possibly more than one person, chopped more than 30 garter snakes into pieces and left them to die. Garter snakes are an important part of the whole Ladd Marsh system, Nowak said.

“They are both predator and prey as they eat insects and small animals but are also eaten by birds of prey and other predators,’’ Nowak said. “Further, there is no downside to them for humans; they are not venomous so they pose no safety risk. Killing them is senseless and that someone did it so violently is worrisome.”

Trash dumping is an ongoing problem at the wildlife area and includes yard debris and household garbage, sometimes in large quantities.

“We have also experienced some vandalism to the new restrooms this fall,” said Larson.

Both Larson and Nowak expressed frustration that such needed improvements, and the hard work it took to get them, would be so easily disregarded.

“Sadly, every hour and every dollar we have to spend cleaning up and repairing damage done by vandals is time and money that cannot be spent to improve habitat or visitor facilities” said Larson.

Nowak added, “If it gets too bad, we may have to consider access restrictions and closures to combat the problem.” They are quick to note that they have no plans of that right now, but it could happen in the future.

For now, they are hoping that responsible visitors to Ladd Marsh can continue to enjoy all that it has to offer.

Visitors are asked to report illegal activity to law enforcement or to wildlife area staff at 541-963-4954.