Southern Ontario’s native reptiles need your help now. They have been suffering drastic population declines due to many threats including poaching, climate change, predation, road traffic, and more.
You can be a part of their recovery by supporting the conservation efforts of Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR)!
SOARR is one of the longest running and most successful reptile conservation programs in Canada and takes direct conservation action for endangered wildlife including Spotted Turtles, Blanding’s Turtles, Spiny Softshell Turtles, Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes, Queensnakes, and many more.
In 2023, over 10,000 eggs from six species of at-risk turtles were incubated in the SOARR lab (located at UTRCA’s Watershed Conservation Centre in the City of London). Once hatched, the young turtles were released back into the lakes, rivers, and wetlands they came from to help recover local populations.
In fact, SOARR has made the difference between life and death for the Spiny Softshell Turtle. This unique species had nearly disappeared entirely from the Thames River but thanks to intensive artificial incubation efforts – made possible through your support – the population is growing again.
“This success gives hope for many of these rare reptile species,” said Scott Gillingwater, Species at Risk Biologist with the UTRCA.
“We’re slowly gaining ground, but there’s much more to accomplish.”
This Giving Tuesday, please donate to give endangered turtles a chance at survival. With inconsistent government funding and significant cuts to species at risk legislation, your help is needed now.
Together, we can achieve great things!
Your gift will support:
- Wildlife habitat creation and field studies
- Egg incubation of at-risk species
- Reptile research and recovery
- Community education and landowner stewardship initiatives
- Training early career scientists