If you encounter a turtle on the road while driving through Wellington County, a new emergency hotline is now available to assist. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group recently introduced its own hotline in response to a concerning rate of turtle fatalities in the county.
Sandy Nicholls, the founder of the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group, emphasized the urgent need for the hotline due to the abundance of wetlands, gravel pits, and turtles in Wellington County. Prior to the hotline’s launch, many individuals would contact the group’s social media platforms regarding stranded turtles without providing their location.
The hotline is designed to gather specific information from callers to pinpoint the exact location of stranded or injured turtles. Nicholls highlighted the importance of the hotline during nesting season, particularly in May for male turtles and June for females.
The predominant turtle species in Wellington County, mainly snapping turtles and painted turtles, are facing a significant population decline. Factors contributing to this decline include road fatalities, habitat destruction, and illegal poaching.
Snapping turtles are listed as a species at risk in Ontario, classified as a special concern. Additionally, midland and eastern painted turtles are federally labeled as special concern, with southern Ontario’s substantial wetland loss over the past two centuries contributing to the decline in painted turtle populations.
Nicholls emphasized 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 necessary medical care, including procedures such as using pins and screws for treatment.
It is crucial to report any deceased turtles as well, as female turtles may still have viable eggs that can be extracted, incubated, and released back into their natural habitat. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group’s efforts involve responding to turtle-related calls, safeguarding nests, rescuing hatchlings, and releasing them into suitable environments.
Nicholls also mentioned that the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre operates its own hotline for reporting injured turtles across Ontario. To contact the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group hotline, individuals can call 226-906-7014.