Wellington County now has an emergency hotline available for motorists who come across turtles on the road. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group introduced this hotline in August to address the high mortality rate of turtles in the county. Sandy Nicholls, the group’s founder, highlighted the urgent need for the hotline due to the abundance of wetlands, gravel pits, and turtles in the area.
Previously, individuals would contact the group through social media regarding stranded turtles without providing precise locations. The new turtle hotline resolves this issue by asking specific questions to pinpoint the exact location of the stranded or injured turtle. This service is particularly crucial during nesting season, which sees heightened turtle activity in May for males and in June for females.
The main turtle species in Wellington County, mainly snapping turtles and painted turtles, are facing a significant decline. Factors contributing to this decline include road fatalities, habitat destruction, and illegal poaching. Snapping turtles are designated as a species at risk in Ontario, categorized as special concern.
While Midland and eastern painted turtles are federally classified as special concern, Ontario lacks the same designation. The Canadian government website attributes the decline of painted turtles to the loss of approximately 70% of wetlands in southern Ontario over the past two centuries.
Sandy Nicholls emphasizes the importance of contacting the hotline even if a turtle appears deceased or severely injured. Injured turtles are transferred to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for medical care, which may involve procedures like using pins and screws for treatment.
Calling the hotline is advised even if the turtle is deceased, especially for female turtles that may still carry eggs. Extracting and incubating these eggs allows for their release back into their original wetland habitat. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group’s responsibilities include responding to turtle incidents, safeguarding nests, caring for hatchlings, and reintroducing them to suitable environments.
Additionally, Nicholls mentions that the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre operates its hotline for reporting injured turtles across Ontario. To contact the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group hotline, individuals can call 226-906-7014.
