The Guelph Humane Society (GHS) is reminding motorists to “give turtles a break” this time of year.
Turtles are in the midst of their egg-laying season, until early July.
Females often will lay their eggs in the sandy, gravel shoulders along our roads, and while crossing the roadways they are at significant risk of injuries or death due to collisions with vehicles.
There are eight native species of turtles in Ontario, and all are designated as either endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Road mortality is second only to habitat loss, as a contributing factor to declining populations.
The life cycle of turtles makes them very vulnerable to the loss of even a small number of adults within a population, which is why helping to ensure safe passage of turtles crossing the road is so important.
What if I see a turtle crossing the road?
If it is safe to do so, consider stopping and giving them a helping hand. Always move a turtle across the road in the direction that they are headed.
For species other than snapping turtles, they can be picked up with two hands, one on either side of the shell, and carefully transported across the road. If the species is unknown you should handle it as if it is a snapping turtle.
When handling or approaching snapping turtles, using a car mat or shovel is the easiest and safest way. Never approach a snapping turtle from the front or side of the shell, as they have a long neck that can reach out and around their shell and potentially deliver a nasty bite.
Instead, approach snapping turtles from the rear, and firmly grip the turtle at the rear of their shell, on either side of their tail, and slide them onto the car mat or shovel and slide them across the road.
It is important to disinfect hands after, as turtles can carry salmonella.
Is the turtle injured?
If the turtle has been injured, and it is safe to do so, remove it from the road and secure it in a box or plastic tote. Contact the Guelph Humane Society immediately. Always note the exact location of where the turtle was found.
Even when injuries seem extremely grave, turtles are incredibly robust and capable of recovering from extensive trauma to their shell when provided with necessary medical care.
The Guelph Humane Society will assess the turtle’s injuries and provide supportive care.
Furthermore, the Guelph Humane Society also requests to be contacted about dead turtles found along roads. If the turtle is a female, the eggs can be collected, incubated, and hatched for release by wildlife rehabilitators.
For more information visit ontarioturtle.ca.
