The alligator snapping turtle, caught on Friday was put to death by wildlife officials in Oregon Tuesday the Statesman Journal reported.
"We euthanized it as soon as we got it back to the office," Greg Jackle, a district biologist in Prineville, Ore. told the Statesman Journal. "It's obviously a very large turtle that was not something that we've ever seen over here before."
Staff at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Prineville district office performed the ultimate task in what turns the animal into an important piece of the department's instructional display. Officials used guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association which included relaxing the turtle, then hitting it in the head
A fisherman spotted the turtle at the infamous Central Oregon reservoir, and is the first of its kind to be discovered in the state's eastern region.
"People get these turtles when they are small and release them when they get too big and aggressive to keep as pets," Simon Wray, a conversation biologist in the department told the Statesman Journal. "It's a poor choice for a pet and the environment."
The animal is not common in Western Oregon, but some have been seen before.
"I'd hate to see these turtles get established in Oregon," Rick Boatner, invasive species coordinator told the Statesman Journal. "We already have problems in the Willamette Valley with common snapping turtles."
According to the Statesman Journal, alligator snapping turtles are fierce and consume fish of the area. They also eat ducklings, and are dangerous for humans
The species is also considered to be the biggest turtle in fresh water in North America, and can weigh up to 250 pounds.
Those who see another alligator snapping turtle should call their local wildlife office in the state.
They can also turn in turtles they do not want so it can be put to sleep, and not reside in bodies of water throughout the state.
