A new emergency hotline is now available in Wellington County to assist drivers who come across turtles on the road. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group initiated this hotline in August due to the high mortality rate of turtles in the county.
Sandy Nicholls, the founder of the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group, emphasized the urgent need for this service in the area, which boasts numerous wetlands, gravel pits, and a significant turtle population. The hotline was established to address the challenge of individuals contacting the group’s social media platforms about stranded turtles without providing location details.
During nesting season, particularly in May for male turtles and June for females, the hotline becomes particularly crucial. The predominant turtle species in Wellington County, namely snapping turtles and painted turtles, are facing a rapid decline. This decline is primarily attributed to road fatalities, habitat destruction, and illegal poaching.
The declining numbers of snapping turtles have led to their inclusion in Ontario’s species at risk list, classified as a matter of special concern. Similarly, Midland and eastern painted turtles are federally designated as special concern, with the loss of approximately 70% of wetlands in southern Ontario over the past two centuries contributing to their diminishing numbers.
Despite the condition of an injured or seemingly lifeless turtle, Nicholls advises the public to contact the hotline. Injured turtles are transferred to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for necessary medical care, which may include procedures such as pinning and screwing to aid in recovery.
Even in the unfortunate event of a deceased turtle, contacting the hotline is encouraged as female turtles may still carry viable eggs. Extracting and incubating these eggs could potentially lead to their successful hatching and subsequent release back into their natural habitat.
The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group is actively involved in responding to turtle-related calls, safeguarding nests, caring for hatchlings, and reintroducing them into suitable environments. Additionally, Nicholls highlighted the existence of a hotline operated by the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for reporting injured turtles anywhere in the province.
For assistance from the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group hotline, individuals can contact 226-906-7014.
