Road Ready For Turtles

Road Ready For Turtles

By Kelly Wallace

So are you ready to be hissed at, peed on, or snapped at and be happy about it because you helped save a turtle? We hope so, your assistance is needed.

Any encounter with a human is stressful for a turtle. When we approach a turtle we know we are there to help the turtle and mean it no harm but a turtle does not see it that way. They perceive us as a predator and as such whatever their reaction it is completely understandable. We’re pretty scary although we don’t mean to be. If it is at all possible to help a turtle across the road without handling them that is always the better way. However, if a turtle is on the road and potentially in harm’s way there is often no choice but to handle them. In these cases turtles don’t think they need our help nor do they want our help but when it comes to crossing roads and injuries, sorry turtles, in us concerned citizens you must trust.

Looking at the projected forecast it is estimated the first week of May is when there will be a stronger turtle presence meaning they will be on the move and crossing the roads. April to mid-July is a busy time for turtles with overwintering hatchlings showing up, turtles emerging from hibernation, turtles traveling to find mates, females looking to nest, turtles foraging for food, seasonal habitat moves, travel in response to habitat disturbances, or fluctuating water levels and sometimes for reasons only turtles know.

Be Prepared

If you will be traveling along major highways and interior roads in cottage country, rural communities, the outskirts of urban communities, and/or ATV trails from April to October expect to see turtles. Preparing for turtle encounters will help take the stress off you when and if the time comes. We recommend having the following items in your vehicle at all times during turtle season; a high-visibility safety vest, a pair of gloves, and/or hand sanitizer. If you are not comfortable handling a turtle do as many people do and put a snow shovel in your vehicle. The trusty snow shovel gets the job done! Some people use a shovel to gently scoop the turtle and move it off the road in the direction the turtle was headed. Other people use a shovel to negotiate the turtle across the road. For those times you may encounter an injured turtle flat pack an assortment of different size cardboard boxes to put in your trunk. Thrown in a roll of duct tape, a tool to make air holes, and a notebook/pen to record the point of location the turtle was found.

Helping A Turtle Across The Road

Stopping to assist a turtle across the road if it is safe for you to do so can make the difference between that turtle making it from this turtle season to the next. Should you stop to assist a turtle across the road always move the turtle in the direction the turtle was headed, even if it makes no sense to you. Turtles are aquatic animals. If a turtle leaves the water it is because they have a distinct reason for doing so. Should a turtle be redirected it will end up back on the road headed to the original destination. This may put the turtle in harm’s way a second time and we don’t want that.

Always make ‘SAFETY’ your #1 priority! if you stop to assist a turtle do not stop in the middle of the lane. Pull off the road onto the shoulder as far over as possible and put your hazard lights on. It is vital to think of your safety, passenger’s safety, and the other motorists on the road.

Please don’t leave an injured turtle behind. A turtle left at the roadside mortally wounded may crawl away and die from injuries sustained. When you have retrieved the injured turtle and have it in your possession call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) home to Ontario’s turtle hospital at 705-741-5000. The OTCC provides medical care at ‘no charge’ and has turtle taxi volunteers to assist with transport for the turtle from anywhere in Ontario if you are not able to drive the turtle to the OTCC or the nearest first responder.

See our ‘How To Help A Snapping Turtle Across The Road’ webpage on the Think Turtle Conservation Initiative website under ‘Helping Turtles.’

Reminder: If you removed your Watch 4 Turtles sign in the fall this would be the time to re-install it to help raise awareness. Thank you for looking out for the turtles.

To contact the author e-mail thinkturtle@yahoo.com or visit the Think Turtle Conservation Initiative website at http://www.thinkturtle.ca

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