SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – A popular waterfall at Mirabeau Point Park in Spokane Valley has been regularly attracting some slow-moving visitors. Specifically, a big rock on the water has become the destination for some turtles looking to catch an afternoon suntan.
On Tuesday, KREM 2 photographer Al Lozano caught some great shots of plenty of turtles enjoying their day, including one with a red shell. The shell caught the eye of plenty of KREM 2 viewers wondering how it came to be. According to Mirabeau Park officials, most turtles end up at the park through people who have dropped them off.
The most likely culprit is that the turtle was painted by a previous owner and then dropped off at the park.
Experts warn against this, since turtle shells can absorb the chemicals on it, leading to health issues. Nonetheless, many people still paint the shells of turtles.
A Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Herpetologist said it could also be an algal growth since the redness does not cover the whole shell.