Wellington County residents now have access to a new emergency hotline for aiding turtles found on roads. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group introduced the hotline recently due to the high mortality rate of turtles in the area. Sandy Nicholls, the group’s founder, emphasized the urgent need for the hotline in response to the numerous wetlands, gravel pits, and turtle population in Wellington County.
Nicholls highlighted the hotline’s importance as many individuals would contact the group’s social media platforms about stranded turtles without providing their location. The hotline aims to gather specific information to pinpoint the exact location of stranded or injured turtles. Nicholls emphasized the hotline’s significance during nesting season, with male turtles being most active in May and females in June.
The primary turtle species in Wellington County, predominantly snapping turtles and painted turtles, are facing a rapid decline. Factors contributing to this decline include road mortality, habitat loss, and illegal poaching. Snapping turtles are designated as a species at risk in Ontario, categorized as special concern.
Although Midland and eastern painted turtles are federally labeled as special concern, they do not hold the same status in Ontario. The Canadian government’s website attributes the decline of painted turtles to the loss of approximately 70% of wetlands in southern Ontario over the past two centuries.
Nicholls urges individuals to contact the hotline even if a turtle appears deceased or severely injured. Injured turtles are transferred to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for necessary medical attention, including procedures involving pins and screws. Notably, even if a deceased female turtle is found, there is a possibility of extracting and incubating its eggs for subsequent release back into its original habitat.
The efforts of the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group encompass responding to turtle-related calls, safeguarding nests, rescuing hatchlings, and reintroducing them to suitable environments. Nicholls also mentioned the availability of a hotline through the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for reporting injured turtles anywhere in Ontario.
To reach the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group hotline, individuals can dial 226-906-7014.