In Wellington County, drivers encountering turtles on the road now have access to a new emergency hotline for assistance. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group recently introduced this hotline to address the high mortality rate of turtles in the county. Sandy Nicholls, the group’s founder, emphasized the urgent need for this service 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, prompting the establishment of the turtle hotline. During nesting season, particularly in May for male turtles and June for females, the hotline proves most crucial. The predominant turtle species in Wellington County, mainly snapping turtles and painted turtles, are facing a rapid decline, according to Nicholls.
Factors contributing to this decline include road mortality, habitat loss, and illegal poaching. Snapping turtles are listed as a species at risk in Ontario and classified as a special concern. Similarly, Midland and eastern painted turtles are federally labeled as special concern, with the loss of 70% of wetlands in southern Ontario over the past two centuries contributing to their decline.
Nicholls encourages the public to contact the hotline even if a turtle appears deceased or severely injured, as the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre can provide necessary medical attention, including surgeries with pins and screws. Extracting eggs from deceased female turtles for incubation and release back into their natural habitat is also part of the conservation efforts.
The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group is actively involved in responding to turtle calls, safeguarding nests, rescuing hatchlings, and releasing them under optimal conditions. Nicholls highlighted the availability of the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre’s hotline for reporting injured turtles across Ontario.
To access the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group hotline, individuals can call 226-906-7014.