Special Tunnels Save Turtles From Train Deaths In Japan

By - 246 words

Language

Reading Level

Listen to Article

Photo Credit: Suma Aqualife Parl

The Suma Aqualife Park in Kobe, Japan is no stranger to turtle traffic. Every summer from May to September, hundreds of reptiles make their way to and from the nearby ocean. While most manage to cover the short distance safely, a handful get trapped inside the railway tracks that lie between the ocean and the popular park.

According to the aquarium officials, as the turtles are trying to cross the tracks, a few fall in. Unable to climb out, they start to walk along the track. The problem arises when a trapped turtle is close to a railroad switch that is in the process of shifting to accommodate an incoming train. As the point blades move, they crush and kill the reptiles.

Photo Credit: Suma Aqualife Park

To save the precious animals, the Suma Aqualife Park officials teamed up with engineers from West Japan Railways to create 'turtle' tunnels. The U-shaped concrete ditches that have been built close to the treacherous switches provide a place for the turtles to slip into and protect them from the point blades. The tunnels also help prevent costly train delays that occur every time a reptile gets caught in the switch.

Since the five concrete tunnels were installed at the two closest railway stations in April and November, railroad personnel have scooped up ten turtles from the ditches and delivered them safely to the aquarium. As Naoki Kamezaki, the head of Suma Aqualife Park succinctly puts it, saving the turtles is a "refreshing feeling."

Resources: Huffingtonpost.com, metro.co.uk,citylab.com, japantimes.co.uk

Cite Article
Geography
Learn Keywords in this Article
849 Comments
  • sophiaabout 5 years
    there so cute
    • sandy witchabout 5 years
      I LOVE TURTLES
      • Turtle Loverover 5 years
        So sad,i would like a turtle as a pet and i LOVE TURTLES!!!
        • orry1234
          orry1234over 5 years
          poor turtle!
          • Susan over 5 years
            SAVE THE TURTLES !!
            • turtlerool028over 5 years
              sad I would not like it if it happined to my pet turtle
              • #poorturtleover 5 years
                that poor turtle it got stuck on its back
                • Turtle girlover 5 years
                  Awwwww so cute. I love turtles
                  • kitkatover 5 years
                    that... is... the... cutest... turtle!
                    • Bigman j.jizzleover 5 years
                      #Cool turtle