Driving through Wellington County and encountering a turtle on the road? A new emergency hotline is now accessible to provide assistance. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group introduced its hotline in August to address the high mortality rate of turtles in the county.
Founder of the group, Sandy Nicholls, emphasized the necessity of the hotline due to the significant presence of wetlands, gravel pits, and turtles in Wellington County. Previously, individuals would contact the group through social media about stranded turtles without providing the location, prompting the establishment of the hotline.
The hotline is designed to gather specific information about the location of stranded or injured turtles and is particularly crucial during nesting season, which sees increased turtle activity in May for males and June for females. The predominant turtle species in Wellington County, primarily snapping turtles and painted turtles, are experiencing a rapid decline, as noted by landowners witnessing a significant reduction in turtle populations.
Factors contributing to the decline include road mortality, habitat loss, and illegal poaching. Snapping turtles are classified as a species at risk in Ontario, designated as a special concern. While Midland and eastern painted turtles are federally labeled as special concern, they do not hold the same status in Ontario. The government of Canada attributes the decline of painted turtles to the loss of approximately 70% of wetlands in southern Ontario over the last two centuries.
Even in cases where turtles appear deceased or severely injured, Nicholls encourages individuals to contact the hotline. Injured turtles are transferred to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for necessary medical attention, which may involve procedures like using pins and screws for treatment. Additionally, if a deceased turtle is a female, there is a possibility of extracting and incubating its eggs for conservation purposes.
The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group focuses on responding to turtle emergencies, safeguarding nests, rescuing hatchlings, and releasing them into suitable environments. Nicholls also mentioned the availability of a hotline at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for reporting injured turtles across Ontario.
For assistance from the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group hotline, individuals can call 226-906-7014.