Cumbria is home to an invasive alligator snapping turtle.

From a Cumbrian tarn, an invasive alligator snapping turtle was removed.

The unusual animal, which is indigenous to southern US rivers and wetlands, was discovered by a dog walker on Monday at Urswick Tarn, close to Ulverston.

Using a shopping basket, parish councillor Denise Chamberlain pulled the animal out of the water and brought it to the veterinarian.

According to Dr. Dominic Moule, the turtle, known by the moniker Fluffy, had a "nasty bite" and, had it not been saved, would have probably eaten through everything.

After seeing a social media post about the turtle, Ms. Chamberlain, a Florida native, "immediately recognised" the species.

"I suspect somebody has bought it and not realised what it is, it has got too big for them to look after or they cannot afford to feed it," she continued.

Despite the fact that owning an alligator snapping turtle is lawful, veterinarians advise against keeping them as pets because of their complex requirements.

Three mitten pairs

With the assistance of the locals, Ms. Chamberlain went to recover the turtle.

She remarked, "I was nervous on two levels."

"One was actually catching it without losing a finger, but also, what was I going to do with it?"

She removed the turtle with a shopping basket while wearing three pairs of builder's gloves, and then she moved it to a sizable container filled with water from the tarn.

"Everyone came together to lend a hand," she said.

Veterinary surgeon Dr. Moule of Barrow-in-furness's Wild Side Vets called the finding "extremely surprising."

"At this size, it could give you a nasty bite but when they get bigger, they can grow up to 80kg (12st) and they can cause some damage," he stated.

Because reptiles would consume almost everything, he continued, they would be "more dangerous for the environment."

"I'm sure if it was left there it would be invasive and eat everything in the water," said Dr. Moule.

The veterinary clinic is taking care of the turtle before sending it to a private caretaker or back to a zoo.

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