Wildlife researcher Peter West said the warm weather is bringing out many native animals such as blue tongue lizards, banjo frogs, and eastern long-necked turtles on their journey between dams and wetlands and onto roads.

Mr West is encouraging residents to keep an eye out for wildlife while driving with an increasing amount becoming road kill.

“Literally dozens of turtles have been rescued from the roads in and around Orange in recent weeks, and unfortunately there are just as many that have been fatally injured,” he said.

“Turtles often move between wetlands and dams during early summer.

“When disturbed they will naturally hide in the shells, making it so much slower for them to cross busy roads”.

Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service central west co-ordinator Anna Fitzhardinge said that a lot of injured turtles are being brought in.

“Yes, we have had a lot, when it rains they all come out,” Ms Fitzhardinge said.

“Sometimes they come in with cracked shells and we can glue them back up.”

Ms Fitzhardinge advises motorists to be aware of turtles and lizards on the road.

If they see one sitting on the road that can potentially be harmed they should move it to the side of the road in the direction the animal is travelling.

“Otherwise they’ll turn round and go back again,” she said.

If you come across injured native wildlife phone 6331 1066.

Don’s turtles come out of their shell

DON Butler is hoping his escaped pet turtles will be spotted among the many crawling around Orange.

Mr Butler was saddened to find his Murray River pet turtle of 15 years, and eastern long neck turtle of five years, escaped from their backyard pond following the recent downpour.

“They were dear pets, but they went walk about with all the rain,” he said. “They were indoor pets for many years, and used to be really popular with special needs kids.”

Mr Butler’s daughter found the Murray River turtle in Wagga Wagga back in 1995.

The Butlers added the eastern neck turtle to their reptile family five years ago after they found it injured near Manildra and missing one leg.

Mr Butler is encouraging people to keep their eyes out for turtles that fit this description, although he knows the the chances of finding them are slim.