TRIGGER WARNING: SOME OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS INTERVIEW MAY PROVE VERY DISTURBING. Join us today as we speak with Dallas and Drew Huggins, the founders and directors of New Hampshire Turtle Rescue in Nottingham, New Hampshire, and Josh Megysys, Turtle Biologist for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, as we talk about the recent arrest and conviction of a man for wantonly attacking and killing turtles in a protected marsh habitat. Just a warning that some of the details of this show will be extremely difficult to listen to.
On September 1st, Drew and Dallas submitted “Oka’s Rule”, a petition to NH Fish & Game under RSA 541-A:4 and Fis 214.01 to initiate rulemaking proceedings to amend the Fish & Game rules to close the gap in protections for non-listed native turtle species.
Here is the link to "Oka's Rule": https://nhturtlerescue.org/info/legislation/2026/okas-rule
Turtles are extremely long lived compared to other wildlife and take a very long time to reach reproductive age. The stability of their populations is heavily reliant on adults remaining in the wild long-term. Allowing the “take” of these species has far reaching negative impacts.
Let NH Fish & Game know that you support stronger protections for our native turtles!
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- Reach out to NHFG’s Executive Director at director@wildlife.nh.gov
- Let them know you support the petition for “Oka’s Rule”
- Share this podcast and ask your friends to lend their support as well.
Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.