Chonkosaurus, the enormous snapping turtle that captured the hearts of Chicagoans, was spotted once more in the Chicago River last week, much to the delight of local wildlife enthusiasts.
Krystyna Kurth, a conservation action coordinator at the Shedd Aquarium, encountered Chonk while kayaking on the river during a training session for new seasonal staff.
“We paddled up, and I was excited because I had some new staff with me, and I was like, ‘You guys get to meet the local legend,'” Kurth commented, sharing the excitement of introducing Chonk to her team.
Kurth leads Kayak for Conservation tours, a program that allows participants to explore the Chicago River while learning about its wildlife and conservation efforts.
During these tours, they often visit a section of the river known as the Wild Mile, which has been revitalized through a partnership with Urban Rivers.
“We have been working in partnership with them since 2018 to put floating wetland habitat back into the Chicago River,” she stated, highlighting the ongoing efforts to improve the river’s ecosystem.
Kurth has developed a long-standing connection with Chonk, having observed the turtle in the same location for six years.
“It was really exciting a few years ago when she went literally global,” Kurth remarked, reflecting on the turtle’s rise to fame.
Chonk’s presence serves as a positive indicator of the river’s health due to extensive conservation initiatives.
Kurth emphasized, “Chonk is not only ‘our own celebrity’ — she’s also a sign that the Chicago River is a lot cleaner than maybe people think it is,” a testament to the work done by Urban Rivers and local environmental groups.
This time of year, Kurth noted, isn’t just reserved for Chonk.
“We have three key snapping turtles that we’re seeing in this area now,” she mentioned, indicating that sunny days in June and July can be counted on for turtle sightings.
In fact, the section of the river where Chonk and her fellow turtles bask has earned the nickname “Turtle Alley,” as conservation staff often spot around 50 turtles there, including soft shell turtles, which are more sensitive to water quality than other species.
Kurth revealed, “We’ve even seen Chonk actively breeding and many baby snappers over the last several years, so we know they’re really settling in [the river] and calling it home and starting families.”
As she trains new staff, Kurth finds herself in awe of the wildlife transformations she has witnessed over time.
She recalled a time when her team had to pick up trash from the river during their tours.
“Now they have over 300 volunteers that help collect trash, and our team realized we’re not finding trash to collect anymore,” she explained, highlighting an impressive shift in the river’s cleanliness.
As a result, volunteers now focus on tracking data related to wildlife, which has flourished alongside the river.
Kurth also mentioned other thriving species, like black-crowned night herons and beavers, underscoring the river’s growing biodiversity.
“It really is the dream job to see the thing that you’re doing and teaching people about is having a direct impact,” she added, reflecting on the rewards of her work.
Reconnecting with Chonk provided an excellent teaching moment for the new volunteers about how to observe this magnificent creature responsibly.
Kurth advised, “We want to make sure we’re teaching people to be excited to see her while also maintaining the distance to keep her safe and help her feel comfortable here.”
She encouraged the public to engage in Kayak for Conservation tours, a chance to meet not just Chonk but a variety of river wildlife.
Those interested can learn more about Shedd’s conservation efforts and sign up for the tours on their website.
In addition to kayaking opportunities, Urban Rivers maintains a public boardwalk at 905 W. Eastman St., open 24/7 for the public to enjoy a view of the river’s wildlife.
Although spotting Chonk there may be a challenge, numerous other creatures can be observed along the boardwalk.
For those venturing out to explore, Kurth offers this advice: “Show respect to the local wildlife. Paddle several boat lengths away from them. Bring your binoculars so that you can have the opportunity to see them while still respecting that we’re visiting their home.”
She concluded, “I would love to meet lots of folks out on paddles with our team this summer.”
image source from：https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/02/chonk-the-snapping-turtle-spotted-in-chicago-river-once-again/
