It happens every year from mid-May to mid-July, turtle nesting season is once again upon us and this year’s weather indicates that June will be very busy.
“Think Turtle Conservation Initiative is an award winning volunteer based group engaged in awareness raising initiatives and species recovery efforts to ‘effectively’ help the turtles native to Ontario. Utilizing evidence-based information and data in support of its vision and mandate Think Turtle works across communities and sectors to drive change and build partnerships in pursuit of what it takes to ensure future generations of turtles.“ (https://thinkturtleconservationinitiative.wordpress.com/)
Acton UP spoke with Kelly Wallace from Think Turtle about turtle conservation efforts in Ontario.
“All eight (turtle) species found in Ontario are on the federally designated at risk list.” This includes the snapping turtle, Blanding’s turtle, painted turtle, musk turtle (the smallest at 5-6 inches nicknamed the “stink pot” as it emits a scent when it feels threatened), wood turtle (which is close to extinction and only semi-aquatic as it spends much of its time on land), spotted turtle, and the spiney soft-shell turtle (for its leathery shell).
Why did the turtle cross the road? Really though, why do so many turtles lay their eggs on the side of the road? Wallace says to turtles gravel shoulders are essentially “linear beaches” that provide ideal conditions, “good sun, air circulation, good drainage and the tree canopy is set back.” Roads cut through traditional nesting grounds and unfortunately the survival rate for these eggs is only 1 percent.
How can you help these species at risk?
If you see a turtle on the road, and can safely stop to help, move it off the road in the direction it was travelling
If a turtle nests on your property place a nest protector over the nest. (The Town of Halton Hills is very progressive in terms of turtle protection, placing nest protectors where they safely can, many municipalities don’t allow nest protectors on roadsides)
Put up turtle crossing signs where there are frequent crossings to warn motorists
If you find an injured turtle call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Center (705) 741-5000
“Turtles have upwards of 50 bones and a unique metabolism which allows them to heal even if their shell is cracked” says Wallace. The “turtle hospital” as it is known will send a turtle taxi which will bring the injured animals to the Peterborough clinic. “Most vet and wildlife clinics are not trained in turtle trauma” she says. “Sometimes eggs can be harvested, hatched, and released back at the site of origin, even if the mom can’t be saved.”
This is Think Turtles’ fifth year. Volunteers for the organization place nest protectors where they can and monitor the nests. Last year Think Turtle volunteers recorded over 800 hatchlings leaving their nests. Turtle crossing signs are available locally for $10. These raise awareness and the money helps fund conservation efforts. You can also volunteer to build nest protectors (pdf plans are available through Kelly) and/or monitor them. Kelly can be reached here .
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