Hello from Kelly at Think Turtle Conservation Initiative
The cooler temperatures slowed down turtle activity just as it was getting going but that is about to change as warmer temperatures and sunshine are in the forecast. The turtles will be looking to make up for lost time so expect to see turtles crossing roads and trails while traveling through rural communities, cottage country, and the outskirts of urban centers this weekend through to October.
Turtles are slower than most wildlife meaning they are at a greater risk of being hit by motor vehicles. For this reason, many concerned citizens will stop this year to help turtles get out of the path of oncoming traffic if it is safe to do so. Stopping to assist a turtle across the road can make the difference between that turtle making it from this turtle season to the next. This is a valuable contribution to the preservation of Ontario’s turtles. To anyone that stops to help a turtle we ‘THANK YOU’ and remind you to please be safe.
Tips to help turtles cross the road safely and more …
Always make ‘SAFETY’ your #1 priority! Never put yourself or other motorists in danger. 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. Don’t stop in heavy traffic areas, on roadways with high-speed limits, or in areas with blind spots. Sometimes pulling off the road and turning on your hazard lights may be enough to alert other motorists to slow down.
If there’s no oncoming traffic, and it is possible to just stand guard as the turtle crosses the road on its own that is best. Avoid sudden movements that may startle it, otherwise, the turtle may change direction, seek shelter within its shell and/or stop in the middle of the road.
Should you stop to physically help a turtle cross the road, make sure to move the turtle in the same direction it was headed. Place the turtle several meters from the road (not on the roadside), so if startled by the experience, the turtle does not get disoriented and accidentally run back into the roadway, or freeze and get run over. See our ‘Helping Turtles Cross The Road’ on our WordPress Blog
https://thinkturtleconservationinitiative.wordpress.com/2022/05/20/helping-turtles-cross-roads/
Don’t handle the turtle more than necessary. 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. Handling turtles more than necessary to get them safely across the road can disrupt their normal behavior. Only pick up the turtle for as long as is needed to get it to safety.
Never relocate a turtle. Although you may think you know of a more suitable location for the turtle you saved, turtles have an affinity for their home range and have a better chance of survival and reproduction if they are left where they are found. the correct solution is to quickly move the turtle the shortest distance possible.
Please don’t leave an injured turtle behind. A turtle left at the roadside mortally wounded may crawl away and die from injuries sustained. Ontario has a turtle hospital! The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) is home to the turtle hospital. It is located in Peterborough and admits injured turtles from ‘anywhere’ in Ontario. The OTCC provides medical care at ‘no charge’ and has turtle taxi volunteers to assist with transport for injured turtles from anywhere in Ontario if you are not able to drive the turtle to the turtle hospital or the nearest first responder. 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. They will answer your questions, ask for the location the turtle was found and walk you through what happens next. Once treated and deemed fit injured turtles are released back into their natural habitat at the point of origin.
Be Prepared for turtles needing help. 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. To be prepared 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.
Be a turtle taxi volunteer. OTCC is always in need of Turtle Taxi drivers from all across Ontario. If interested in volunteering for this you do not need to have any experience with turtles, but must have access to a vehicle. The OTCC requires the assistance of citizens who care about the decline in our turtle populations and want to help out. Turtles will be transported in enclosed containers. Turtle Taxi drivers do not need to handle the turtles directly. If you are interested in volunteering or have questions please call 705-741-5000 or e-mail volunteer@ontarioturtle.ca. The OTCC will furnish you with the information you need to know.
If you find a hatchling please take it to the nearest body of water. Hatchlings whether spotted in the early spring, late summer, or autumn face a vast array of predators. Should you find a hatchling on your property, public property, or the road you could significantly increase the hatchling’s chance of survival by taking the hatchling to the nearest body of water in the direction the hatchling was headed. Once there, release the hatchling in an area that has a shallow entry point for the hatchling to make its way into the water and there is vegetation that will serve as protective covering for the little turtles. The little hatchlings will spend much of their early years hiding until they have gained some size and girth and are not so vulnerable to predators.
Note: If there are multiple hatchlings to release spread them around the body of water in shallow water with vegetation. A general guideline is 10 feet apart if possible. This will reduce the chances of predators locating clusters of turtles and increase the number of hatchlings that survive.
Report turtle sightings. If possible, snap a photo and report sightings to a citizen science program like iNaturalist, Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC), Road Warrior Program, Turtle Guardians, or Turtle Tally to help track the movements and distribution of Ontario’s turtles.
Wildlife in distress other than turtles. Should you encounter wildlife other than turtles in Ontario that are sick, injured, or abandoned please ‘consult’ the Ontario Wildlife Rescue website for the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (MNRF) licensed wildlife rehabilitator nearest you. An experienced rehabilitator will help you decide what the next steps should be. The Ontario Wildlife Rescue website is an excellent resource when wild animals are in need http://www.ontariowildliferescue.ca
If you have ‘any’ turtle-related questions please do not hesitate to call Think Turtle at 647-606-9537 or text. Visit our website at http://www.thinkturtle.a for information about helping turtles. Follow us on Facebook to keep up on turtle news and happenings.
Thank you for looking out for the turtles and other wildlife and assisting them when help is needed.
Wishing you a good day, take care, and be safe.
Appreciatively,
Kelly Wallace, Managing Director
Think Turtle Conservation Initiative
Cell/Text: 647-606-9537
E-mail: thinkturtle@yahoo.com
Facebook: thinkturtleci
Username: Wallace Kathleen Kelly
Website: thinkturtle.ca
Facebook Post: #1003
THINK TURTLE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE 