BOCES Students Foster Rescued Invasive Turtle

Albany-area students care for yellow-bellied slider until permanent home found

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Students from the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center Pet Tech program are fostering a yellow-bellied slider turtle that was found in a local pond. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation asked the Pet Tech program to care for the turtle, which cannot be released back into the wild due to being an invasive species.

Why it matters

The students are gaining hands-on experience caring for rescued animals, including learning about the needs and care of turtles. The program also highlights the challenges posed by invasive species and the importance of finding appropriate permanent homes for them.

The details

The yellow-bellied slider turtle was found in a pond in the Albany area. Since the turtle is an invasive species, it cannot be released back into the wild. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation asked the Pet Tech program at BOCES to foster the turtle until a permanent home can be found. The students have named the turtle Fiona, to go along with another turtle they are caring for named Shrek.

  • The turtle was found in a pond in the Albany area.

The players

Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center

A regional educational services agency that provides career and technical education programs to students in the Albany area.

Helen Thompson

The Pet Tech teacher at the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center who is overseeing the students' care of the rescued turtle.

Morgan Martin

A junior in the Pet Tech program who recently cared for the rescued turtle named Fiona.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The state agency that asked the BOCES Pet Tech program to foster the rescued yellow-bellied slider turtle.

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What they’re saying

“She was clearly a pet at one point, and her owners probably let her go. She is good with people and has been cared for.”

— Helen Thompson, Pet Tech teacher (news10.com)

“She is in need of a home. In the meantime, we will take care of her, and the students will learn about turtles and their needs and how to care for them.”

— Helen Thompson, Pet Tech teacher (news10.com)

What’s next

The BOCES Pet Tech program will continue to care for the yellow-bellied slider turtle until a permanent home can be found for the invasive species.

The takeaway

This story highlights the important role that educational programs can play in caring for rescued animals, especially those that are considered invasive species. The hands-on experience allows students to learn valuable skills while also providing a temporary home for the turtle until a more permanent solution can be found.