Helping Turtles
Turtles need our help. In Ontario, seven of our eight turtle species have declined in numbers low enough to be classified as species at risk. That means that if nothing is done, they may one day disappear forever. But don't lose hope, while it is true that humans are the cause of their troubles, humans can also be the solution.
You can help!
Where do I start?
There are many things you can do to help the plight of turtles in Ontario.
LEARN ABOUT TURTLES
Become curious and learn as much as you can about turtles and other local wildlife species. The more you know, the better equipped you are to help.
You can help!
Where do I start?
There are many things you can do to help the plight of turtles in Ontario.
LEARN ABOUT TURTLES
Become curious and learn as much as you can about turtles and other local wildlife species. The more you know, the better equipped you are to help.
To help you get started, take a look at these documents I have uploaded which are full of good information.
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This document was created by Sciensational Sssnakes !!! Visit their website by
clicking here! |
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This document was created by Turtle S.H.E.L.L. Tortue. Visit their website by clicking here!
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SHARE WHAT YOU LEARN
Tell your friends and family about the amazing turtles that live in your area. Share what you learn and discover. Especially, what we can do to conserve, protect and replenish turtle populations and habitats.
Express your enthusiasm and invite them to go turtle spotting with you. There's something truly magical about seeing your first wild turtle. You never know, they may get hooked!
Express your enthusiasm and invite them to go turtle spotting with you. There's something truly magical about seeing your first wild turtle. You never know, they may get hooked!
BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST
Protecting turtles across a province as large as Ontario is a big job. Wildlife biologists need help tracking turtle populations. People everywhere can help by reporting turtle sightings to the Ontario Turtle Tally. All you need to do is record your observations with as many details as possible (take a picture if you can).
Simply log on to the Toronto Zoo's Turtle Tally website and submit your observations.
Why should you participate?
1. It helps scientists increase their understanding of where turtles are found (distribution) and how far
they travel (range).
2. Information on turtle species and location is useful to identify areas of concern and threats to
turtles.
3. To learn more about the threats facing turtles in Ontario and around the world.
4. To have fun!
Protecting turtles across a province as large as Ontario is a big job. Wildlife biologists need help tracking turtle populations. People everywhere can help by reporting turtle sightings to the Ontario Turtle Tally. All you need to do is record your observations with as many details as possible (take a picture if you can).
Simply log on to the Toronto Zoo's Turtle Tally website and submit your observations.
Why should you participate?
1. It helps scientists increase their understanding of where turtles are found (distribution) and how far
they travel (range).
2. Information on turtle species and location is useful to identify areas of concern and threats to
turtles.
3. To learn more about the threats facing turtles in Ontario and around the world.
4. To have fun!
It might seem strange, but being run over on the road is a huge threat to turtle populations because they reproduce so slowly. Turtles might take 20 years to start laying eggs, and some species lay only a few eggs per year. This only works because once they are big enough to start laying eggs, they are safe from predators and they should live for decades just to lay enough eggs to keep the population going. Unfortunately, their shells can't keep them safe from cars, so the odds of the females being able to cross roads to lay eggs for decades without getting hit are pretty slim.
Help a turtle cross the road
By far the greatest threat to the health and well-being of turtles are roads and highways.
In the months of May and June and early July turtles can be found crossing roads in search of nesting grounds. Then at the end of August until the third week of September turtles cross the roads to go to their hibernation area. When you spot one, the first concern is your personal safety. Don't take chances...
If it’s safe to get the turtle, take it to the side of the road in the direction it was heading and release it. If you return it to where it was coming from, it will just try to cross the road again. Small species such as Painted, Spotted or Musk turtles can simply be picked up.... but watch out for the head: they bite! Adult Snapping turtles should be grasped at the base of the tail (rearmost part of their shell) and pulled backward onto a shovel, piece of cardboard or carpet, car floor mat so that it is easy to tow them to the side of the highway.
In the months of May and June and early July turtles can be found crossing roads in search of nesting grounds. Then at the end of August until the third week of September turtles cross the roads to go to their hibernation area. When you spot one, the first concern is your personal safety. Don't take chances...
If it’s safe to get the turtle, take it to the side of the road in the direction it was heading and release it. If you return it to where it was coming from, it will just try to cross the road again. Small species such as Painted, Spotted or Musk turtles can simply be picked up.... but watch out for the head: they bite! Adult Snapping turtles should be grasped at the base of the tail (rearmost part of their shell) and pulled backward onto a shovel, piece of cardboard or carpet, car floor mat so that it is easy to tow them to the side of the highway.
Please remember to Never ever pick up a turtle by its tail, it can injure them badly.
Unfortunately, not all turtles are lucky in their attempts to cross the road. Many are killed and others receive life-threatening injuries. The following information is for the unlucky.
If at all possible take the injured turtle to a vet or rehabilitation centre. There, it will be treated, kept until it is fully healed and finally released back into the wild. If you do take a turtle to such a rehab centre be sure to carefully note exactly where you found it. If there are no obvious landmarks at the recovery site, note the odometer reading on your car and again at the first signed intersection.
Ottawa Area
Emergency Care
Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
North Gower, ON K0A 2T0
Tel: 613-258-9480
Email: [email protected]
If at all possible take the injured turtle to a vet or rehabilitation centre. There, it will be treated, kept until it is fully healed and finally released back into the wild. If you do take a turtle to such a rehab centre be sure to carefully note exactly where you found it. If there are no obvious landmarks at the recovery site, note the odometer reading on your car and again at the first signed intersection.
Ottawa Area
Emergency Care
Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
North Gower, ON K0A 2T0
Tel: 613-258-9480
Email: [email protected]
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
Help stop poachers and people causing harm!
It is against the law in Ontario to remove wild turtles from their habitat or harm them in any way.
If you believe you are witnessing or have witnessed someone unlawfully taking or harming turtles, report your sightings to the Ministry of Natural Resources by calling their TIPS line.
1-877-TIPS-MNR or 1-877-847-7667
Before calling, make sure to note down details such as:
Vehicle Make, Model, Colour, and Plate
Date and Time of Day
Approximate Location (address or landmark)
Description of any people suspected
Help stop poachers and people causing harm!
It is against the law in Ontario to remove wild turtles from their habitat or harm them in any way.
If you believe you are witnessing or have witnessed someone unlawfully taking or harming turtles, report your sightings to the Ministry of Natural Resources by calling their TIPS line.
1-877-TIPS-MNR or 1-877-847-7667
Before calling, make sure to note down details such as:
Vehicle Make, Model, Colour, and Plate
Date and Time of Day
Approximate Location (address or landmark)
Description of any people suspected