Subscribe to Guide
No Result
View All Result
Hamptons.com
  • Spotlight Magazine
  • Lifestyle
    • Featured
    • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Community
    • Dining
    • Recreation
    • Trending
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Post an Event
    • Gallery
  • Real Estate
    • Real Estate Features
    • Search Real Estate
      • Open Houses
      • Search Sales
      • Search Rentals
    • Title Insurance
    • Happening In The Hamptons Podcast
  • Live Cameras
    • All Live Cameras
    • Live Weather Cams
    • Amagansett, Atlantic Avenue Beach
    • Bridgehampton, West Scott Cameron Beach
    • East Hampton Village, Main Beach
    • East Hampton Village, Main Street
    • East Hampton Village, Newtown Lane
    • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Beach
    • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Bridge
    • Hampton Bays, Shinnecock Fishing Dock
    • Hampton Bays, Tiana Beach
    • Long Island Aquarium | Coral Reef
    • Long Island Aquarium | Penguins
    • Long Island Aquarium | Shark Tank
    • Montauk, Downtown Circle
    • Montauk, Lars Simenson Skatepark
    • Montauk, Gin Beach & Inlet
    • Montauk, Sunset Beach & Inlet
    • Sagaponack, Sagg Main Beach
    • Sag Harbor, Foster Memorial Beach
    • Sag Harbor, Long Wharf Marina
    • Sag Harbor, Main Street (South)
    • Sag Harbor, Windmill Beach & Bay
    • Shelter Island, South Ferry
    • Southampton, 39A to Montauk Hwy Merge
    • Southampton, Conscience Point Marina
    • Southampton Village, Coopers Beach
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (South)
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (North)
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (Hildreths)
    • Westhampton Village, Main Street (East)
    • Westhampton Village, Rogers Beach
  • Public WiFi
    • Public WiFi Map
    • Public Wi-Fi Support
  • Spotlight Magazine
  • Lifestyle
    • Featured
    • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Community
    • Dining
    • Recreation
    • Trending
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Post an Event
    • Gallery
  • Real Estate
    • Real Estate Features
    • Search Real Estate
      • Open Houses
      • Search Sales
      • Search Rentals
    • Title Insurance
    • Happening In The Hamptons Podcast
  • Live Cameras
    • All Live Cameras
    • Live Weather Cams
    • Amagansett, Atlantic Avenue Beach
    • Bridgehampton, West Scott Cameron Beach
    • East Hampton Village, Main Beach
    • East Hampton Village, Main Street
    • East Hampton Village, Newtown Lane
    • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Beach
    • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Bridge
    • Hampton Bays, Shinnecock Fishing Dock
    • Hampton Bays, Tiana Beach
    • Long Island Aquarium | Coral Reef
    • Long Island Aquarium | Penguins
    • Long Island Aquarium | Shark Tank
    • Montauk, Downtown Circle
    • Montauk, Lars Simenson Skatepark
    • Montauk, Gin Beach & Inlet
    • Montauk, Sunset Beach & Inlet
    • Sagaponack, Sagg Main Beach
    • Sag Harbor, Foster Memorial Beach
    • Sag Harbor, Long Wharf Marina
    • Sag Harbor, Main Street (South)
    • Sag Harbor, Windmill Beach & Bay
    • Shelter Island, South Ferry
    • Southampton, 39A to Montauk Hwy Merge
    • Southampton, Conscience Point Marina
    • Southampton Village, Coopers Beach
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (South)
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (North)
    • Southampton Village, Main Street (Hildreths)
    • Westhampton Village, Main Street (East)
    • Westhampton Village, Rogers Beach
  • Public WiFi
    • Public WiFi Map
    • Public Wi-Fi Support
No Result
View All Result
Hamptons.com
March 25, 2021

Wildlife Rescue Of East Hampton: Turtle Recovery At Town Pond

Eileen Caseyby Eileen Casey
in Community
Home Community

A turtle’s best friend may just be Dell Cullum, the founder of Wildlife Rescue of East Hampton. Cullum and several volunteers recently rescued turtles, fish and even a bullfrog from Town Pond in East Hampton in an effort to remove the wildlife before the completion of a scheduled dredging.

Following completion of the first phase of the pond dredging project, and after numerous turtle sightings, East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen halted the project giving Cullum and gang an opportunity to rescue and relocate the turtles and other wildlife. In total, ten turtles have been rescued, along with several dozen goldfish carp, two beautiful koi and a large bullfrog.

This was no simple undertaking since much of the water had already been removed, combined with the weather and difficulty in just following the muddy trails left behind by the turtles, these saviors utilized a drone, thermal imaging camera and extended the week long moratorium to rescue as many of the red-eared sliders as possible. Note: Red-ear sliders turtles are all former household pets who were released into the pond, much like goldfish. Four of the rescued turtles were given to both The South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center in Bridgehampton, while the other six found new homes with area residents who have ponds on their property.

While this effort was not planned before the dredging began, and would have and will be easier in warmer weather when the turtles and others would be swimming and far more visible, Cullum stated, “No time would have been the perfect time since wildlife rely on their habitat year-round for a variety of reasons. For example, had the dredging begun in the spring, it would have disrupted the breeding season. Summer would have the least impact on the wildlife but not so for local businesses who are still staggering from the Coronavirus pandemic.”

Continuing, Cullum said, “Although there is never an exception when it comes to risking the lives of any living creature, there was an opportunity to keep the project moving along, while at the same time keeping a watchful eye out for the wildlife.”

Cullum speaks very highly of the volunteers that have been helping in this rescue effort. “This is a team effort, and my team is the best. Along with the cooperation of both the East Hampton Village board and Bistrian’s dredging crew, we’ve managed to do just that.”

Wildlife Rescue of East Hampton Founder Dell Cullum with debris collected during the rescue efforts. (Courtesy Photo)

Cullum and volunteers were specifically there to rescue turtles that would awaken from an early semi-hibernation due to the noise and vibrations of the excavator digging away at the sediment being removed. “We just wait for them to come out of the mud, because looking for them under the mud would be nearly impossible. Similar to finding small needles in a very big haystack.”

While Cullum and crew watch and wait patiently, they make the best of their time by removing the glass, garbage and debris that is much easier to find and remove, and unfortunately is everywhere. Cullum revealed he has removed dozens of glass bottles, a couple hub caps, lots of paper and plastic trash and about a dozen hockey pucks. He added, “Some folks seem to think there is some hidden mystery waiting to be unearthed in the pond’s muck. I hate to disappoint those folks so I often joke and say that so far I’ve found three firearms, Capt. Kidd’s Treasure and Jimmy Hoffa.” Along with the turtles and others, two cell phones, two horseshoe crabs (deceased) and half a dozen dead eels were discovered.

As dredging continues, Cullum believes the disruption due to vibrations and noise will have more turtles surfacing to be rescued. Along with warmer temperatures as the winter transitions into spring, the conditions couldn’t be more in the rescuer’s favor. Two days after the digging resumed, the tenth turtle broke the muddy surface and started walking east (away from the machine). “Once they start walking they are much easier to see. Then we can just scoop them up with a long net.”

Cullum confirmed, “My awesome volunteers and I plan to be there until this project is completed, which may run into May. Whatever time it takes, we’re in it until the end.” Cullum hopes to rescue more native species that can ultimately be released back into the pond once the project is completed. He’s quite certain he will find snapping turtles as the digging continues, and maybe even a painted turtle.

All creatures have angels unaware and certainly pets are not garbage. While Cullum and volunteers are actively ensuring the safety and survival of what lives and resides in our waters, perhaps we could all make an effort to assist from the sidelines by properly disposing of garbage and safely relocating pets – a simple but powerful solution that could have us singing to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Look at the turtle go, bro!”

Just wondering, did anyone adopt the bullfrog and name it Jeremiah?

For more information on the tremendous work undertaken by Cullum, go to www.wroeh.org.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

Get the top Hamptons events and latest scoop!

What's Happening in the Hamptons

Related Posts

15th Annual Family Fair to Benefit CMEE — SWEET ESCAPE
Community

15th Annual Family Fair to Benefit CMEE — SWEET ESCAPE

July 4, 2025
Tradition Meets Today: Sagaponack General Store’s Stunning Renovation
Featured

Where History & Future Intersect: The Sagaponack General Store

July 4, 2025
Hamptons Fourth of July Fireworks Guide
Entertainment

Hamptons Fourth of July Fireworks Guide

July 3, 2025

Search Articles

No Result
View All Result

LOCAL EVENTS

Events

05
Jul
05
Jul
-
06
Jul

Goat Yoga in Bridgehampton

July 5 @ 09:00 AM - July 6 @ 10:00 AM
Corwith’s Farmstand, 851 Head of Pond Rd, Water Mill, NY 11976, USA
05
Jul
05
Jul
-
05
Jul

STEAM: Colorful Fabric Tote or Drawstring Bag (ages 5-12 yrs)

July 5 @ 11:00 AM - July 5 @ 12:00 PM
44 Meadow Way East Hampton, NY 11937
05
Jul
05
Jul
-
05
Jul

SG LEWIS at Palma Day Club in Montauk

July 5 @ 12:00 PM - July 5 @ 06:00 PM
Palma Day Club @ Montauk Beach House - 55 S Elmwood Ave, Montauk, NY 11954, USA
05
Jul
05
Jul
-
05
Jul

Aperitivo – Sunset Cocktail Hour

July 5 @ 05:00 PM - July 5 @ 08:00 PM
181 Main Street, East Hampton NY, 11937
05
Jul
05
Jul
-
05
Jul

Celebratory July 4th Reception with Artist Sean Rush and Jewelry Designer Tamara Taichman

July 5 @ 05:00 PM - July 5 @ 07:00 PM
2385 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, NY 11932
Load more listings
Next Post
Former New York Knicks Power Forward Charles Oakley Hosting Virtual Poker Night Fundraiser

Former New York Knicks Power Forward Charles Oakley Hosting Virtual Poker Night Fundraiser

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
    Hamptons.com

    Saunders Broadcasting Corp.

    Phone: 631-613-8440
    Email: [email protected]
    Facebook: Facebook.com/HamptonsOnline
    Twitter: @Hamptons
    Instagram: @HamptonsOnline

    About Us | Contact Us

    Hamptons.com

    • Lifestyle
    • Events
    • Real Estate
    • Live Cameras
    • Public WiFi

    Subscribe

    Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

    Get the top Hamptons events and latest scoop!

    © 2025 Hamptons.com | All rights reserved
    Saunders Broadcasting Corp.
    Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | About Us | Contact Us

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Spotlight Magazine
    • Lifestyle
      • Featured
      • Entertainment
      • Arts
      • Community
      • Dining
      • Recreation
      • Trending
    • Events
      • Events Calendar
      • Post an Event
      • Gallery
    • Real Estate
      • Real Estate Features
      • Search Real Estate
        • Open Houses
        • Search Sales
        • Search Rentals
      • Title Insurance
      • Happening In The Hamptons Podcast
    • Live Cameras
      • All Live Cameras
      • Live Weather Cams
      • Amagansett, Atlantic Avenue Beach
      • Bridgehampton, West Scott Cameron Beach
      • East Hampton Village, Main Beach
      • East Hampton Village, Main Street
      • East Hampton Village, Newtown Lane
      • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Beach
      • Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Bridge
      • Hampton Bays, Shinnecock Fishing Dock
      • Hampton Bays, Tiana Beach
      • Long Island Aquarium | Coral Reef
      • Long Island Aquarium | Penguins
      • Long Island Aquarium | Shark Tank
      • Montauk, Downtown Circle
      • Montauk, Lars Simenson Skatepark
      • Montauk, Gin Beach & Inlet
      • Montauk, Sunset Beach & Inlet
      • Sagaponack, Sagg Main Beach
      • Sag Harbor, Foster Memorial Beach
      • Sag Harbor, Long Wharf Marina
      • Sag Harbor, Main Street (South)
      • Sag Harbor, Windmill Beach & Bay
      • Shelter Island, South Ferry
      • Southampton, 39A to Montauk Hwy Merge
      • Southampton, Conscience Point Marina
      • Southampton Village, Coopers Beach
      • Southampton Village, Main Street (South)
      • Southampton Village, Main Street (North)
      • Southampton Village, Main Street (Hildreths)
      • Westhampton Village, Main Street (East)
      • Westhampton Village, Rogers Beach
    • Public WiFi
      • Public WiFi Map
      • Public Wi-Fi Support

    © 2025 Hamptons.com | All rights reserved
    Saunders Broadcasting Corp.
    Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | About Us | Contact Us