Driving through Wellington County and encountering a turtle on the road? There’s a new emergency hotline available for assistance. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group introduced its hotline in August in response to a concerning number of turtle deaths in the area.
Founder of the group, Sandy Nicholls, emphasized the necessity of the hotline due to the abundance of wetlands, gravel pits, and turtles in Wellington County. Previously, many individuals would reach out via social media about stranded turtles without providing specific locations, prompting the implementation of the hotline for accurate reporting.
The hotline operates by asking callers detailed questions to pinpoint the exact location of stranded or injured turtles. Particularly crucial during nesting season, which sees increased turtle activity in May for males and June for females, the hotline aims to address the decline in turtle species prevalent in Wellington County, mainly snapping turtles and painted turtles.
According to Nicholls, various factors contribute to the dwindling turtle population, including road mortality, habitat loss, and illegal poaching. Notably, snapping turtles are classified as a species at risk in Ontario, labeled as a matter of special concern.
While Midland and eastern painted turtles are federally listed as special concern, the decline in the region, as per the government of Canada website, is attributed to the loss of approximately 70% of wetlands in southern Ontario over the past two centuries.
Nicholls stresses the importance of contacting the hotline even if a turtle appears deceased or severely injured, as the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre can provide necessary medical care, including surgical procedures if needed. Recovering eggs from deceased female turtles for incubation and subsequent release into their natural habitat is also a vital aspect of conservation efforts.
The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group’s initiatives involve responding to turtle emergencies, safeguarding nests, relocating hatchlings to suitable environments, and collaborating with the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, which offers a province-wide hotline for reporting injured turtles.
To access the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group hotline, individuals can dial 226-906-7014.