“Oh my gosh. I don’t like this.”
Dad and Daughter Rescue Trapped Snapping Turtle: A Heartwarming Act of Kindness
After a heavy rain flooded Zebadiah Wilkes’ pond, he and his daughter, Cora, were out inspecting the damage when they noticed something unusual stuck in the drain. Upon closer inspection, they realized it wasn’t just debris — it was a snapping turtle, trapped and struggling.
Most would have avoided the turtle due to its dangerous reputation, but not Wilkes. Determined to help, he immediately sprang into action, attempting to free the turtle while keeping a cautious eye on its sharp jaws.
The drain’s strong pressure made the rescue difficult, but Wilkes persevered, tying a rope around the turtle and pulling with all his might, while Cora nervously watched the scene unfold.
“That’s really stuck in there,” Cora said in a video as her dad worked.
After much effort, the turtle was finally freed — flying out of the drain and landing near Cora.
“Oh God, you could have died,” Cora said, relieved but clearly concerned for her dad’s safety. “Next time, be a little more careful!”
Though the encounter was tense, the snapping turtle seemed unharmed and quickly went on its way. Wilkes and Cora were happy to know they’d helped save a life.
Since then, Wilkes has made it his mission to continue helping snapping turtles, even carrying them across roads to prevent them from being hit by cars. While many find snapping turtles intimidating, Wilkes sees them as creatures worthy of protection and care — and will always step in to help when they’re in need.