The two turtles from Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park that had swastikas painted on their shells have been removed from Lake Washington. ...
The two turtles from Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park that had swastikas painted on their shells have been removed from Lake Washington.
The creatures were discovered last Tuesday and recovered Monday in Renton, Seattle. They will now be rehabilitated.
In order to remove the offensive markings, their shells will have to be conditioned.
Two turtles that had swastikas painted on their shells were removed from Lake Washington in Seattle on Monday
They were spotted last Tuesday in Renton's Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park (pictured) but Seattle but authorities had difficulty apprehending them
Rally Against Hate organizer Chad Cashman-Crane said: 'Many of us are upset to see this in our own backyard'
Then they will be placed in a safe environment, Renton Police Department in Washington said.
'The species is not native to Lake Washington so they were left in the park by unknown subject(s),' law enforcement stated. 'There is no further information at this time.'
The discovery sparked protests at the park on Saturday. Posters urged the community to show some respect for wildlife.
Rally Against Hate organizer Chad Cashman-Crane said: 'Many of us are upset to see this in our own backyard.'
Miri Cypers, the regional director for the Anti-Defamation League, told the newspaper: 'While it's hard to know the intention or what the perpetrator had in mind, it seems pretty clear to us what the symbol means'. Adolf Hitler is pictured circa 1930
At the time of the rally, police were attempting to locate them but said 'so far they have evaded apprehension'.
They assured concerned locals and animal rights enthusiasts that Animal Control Officers would 'check their typical sunning spots from time to time in the hope of capturing them for a quick cleanup and health check'.
After urging the public for help, they finally had success six days later.
'I was absolutely horrified and my eyes actually got teary,' park visitor Anne-Marie Desiderio told the Seattle Times about what she saw in the park earlier this month.
Miri Cypers, the regional director for the Anti-Defamation League, told the newspaper: 'While it's hard to know the intention or what the perpetrator had in mind, it seems pretty clear to us what the symbol means.
'I think it's a really sad and unfortunate act. Unfortunately, anti-Semitic vandalism is becoming all too common in this climate.'
They were eventually removed 'for a quick cleanup and health check' but their shells will have to be conditioned to remove the offensive markings
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