For Immediate Release
June 6, 2024
Help Protect Turtles during Nesting Season
As we move further into June, turtle nesting season is well under way across the Upper Thames River watershed. Unfortunately, the potential for turtles to lay eggs in unsafe areas is quite high (e.g. along roads, near pedestrian trails, parks).
If you see a turtle nesting in an area that could be unsafe, Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR) might be able to help. Each year, Scott Gillingwater, Species at Risk Biologist, and the SOARR team rescue the eggs from hundreds of turtle nests, incubate them, and release the young back into their natural habitat.
Use the UTRCA Turtle Reporting Form to let us know about a turtle nest in an unsafe area.
Turtles take many years to reach reproductive maturity. In some cases, a turtle may be 15 to 18 years old before she is able to lay her first clutch of eggs. By helping to protect turtle nests, you are helping to preserve these populations.
Increasing threats, including habitat loss, road mortality, high predation rates, illegal collection, and other environmental and human-caused stressors, have all caused turtle populations to decline. All eight of Ontario’s turtle species are now designated as at-risk, either federally, provincially, or in most cases, both.
“Our team has made a significant difference for turtle populations in the Thames River watershed, and a large part of that success is based on the many reports of turtles and nests at risk from caring community members,” said Gillingwater.
How can you help?
- Report sightings of turtle nests at risk, with a detailed description of the location and the situation.
- Assist turtles across roads, but only if there is no risk to human safety.
- Donate to help in our efforts to study and conserve reptiles at risk.
Contact:
Scott Gillingwater,
Species at Risk Biologist,
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
[email protected]
For Media: Please note that interview opportunities may be limited due to the high demands on field work at this time.
The 2024 SOARR Team with Spiny Softshell Turtles