A local attorney is offering a $250 reward for a male Blanding's turtle that scientists with Northern Illinois University have been tracking for about two years.
The endangered turtle wandered off the Afton Forest Preserve several weeks ago. It was equipped with an antenna and transmitter but the connection was ended after a local resident attempted to help it.
The DeKalb Daily Chronicle reports attorney Riley Oncken is offering the reward to anyone who finds and returns the turtle. Oncken pledged another $250 to anyone who finds a female for the turtle so it will stop searching for one.
Authorities say the Cook County Forest Preserve District would search for the turtle during their next flyover to track the urban coyote population.
Copyright The Associated Press
