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Carapace is particularly interested in the presence of turtles on the roads
© Photo Simon Pelletier
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Results of the first year
Since its launch in May 2017, the carapace.ca website has received 636 turtle sighting reports, for a total of 856 individual specimens. It is not a coincidence that turtles were mostly observed during the last two weeks of June: this is the period during which females travel to lay eggs. Reports were recorded in 14 of Quebec's 17 adminis-trative regions, in addition to a few areas in Ontario.
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Fatal collisions on the roads
Since half of the turtles listed on carapace.ca have been observed on roads or trails, the reports help to document collisions and assess road mortality risks. In fact, 63 turtles of the 55 dead and 15 wounded were on a road or trail, confirming the danger of roads or trails in their habitat. At the moment we don’t have enough information to identify particularly dangerous sites. However, we hope to better understand the problem over the years. Fortu-nately, 91 per cent of turtles reported last year were alive. Good news!
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Best practices when you spot a turtle
Before doing anything, think about your own safety and that of others.
If the turtle is on the roadside shoulder, slow down and drive around the turtle. You can stop to safely notify its presence to other drivers, so they avoid it.
If the turtle is on the road, watch it from a distance to avoid frightening it. Then, wait for it to cross the road. In case of immediate danger, grab it with both hands near the back of the shell and carry it in the direction it is going. A turtle knows where she is going. If you change its direction, it may come back on the road.
If you have to handle a turtle, do not grab it by the tail. You could damage its internal organs. If a turtle is aggressive, slide it to the road shoulder, out of danger, using a car mat or shovel.
Do not put it back in the water and, above all, do not move it to a different spot! You risk compromising its journey, or even its survival.
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What to do if you see a turtle on the road
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Thank you for your efforts!
In 2017, 501 users reported turtles. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
We also salute the more than 100 communications partners and the three funders who made the use of the platform possible.
Thank you to everyone who helped spread the Carapace project across the province!
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Exotic turtles
In addition to the five native species reported on carapace.ca, exotic species were also reported. Of these, 15 specimens had been released into the wild by their owner — an act that shouldn’t be done. Non-native species harm local species by creating compe-tition for food, habitats and other resources. If you have a turtle at home and want to give it another home, ask for advice from a specialized store, a veterinarian or the SPCA.
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Data from the 2017 campaign
Number of turtles observed per region
Regional distribution of turtles observed
on a road or a trail
Distribution of observed species of turtles
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Turtle report map
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Photography tips
When submitting an observation, you can help make our work easier by making sure that you can clearly see the turtle on the photo that you attach to your form. Try to photograph numerous features such as its head and the shape and colors of its shell. Feel free to include more than one photo!
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Interesting links about turtle protection in Quebec
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Stories from the field
- Wood Turtle Repopulation Program in the Lower St. Lawrence by the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (MFFP): 25 turtles were born in 2017! This is a record hatching year since the beginning of the program in 2012. We first locate egg-laying sites and then collect the eggs, which are then incubated at the MFFP facilities. The young turtles are then taken care of at the Montreal Biodome until they are two years old, before being released into their natural habitat in Témiscouata.
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- Recovery of turtle eggs in Montérégie. In September 2017, the MFFP recovered eggs from a turtle that was hit by a vehicle and who laid some eggs before passing away. A technician from the MFFP transported them to the Granby Zoo where they were put in incubation. The turtles born in the laboratory, between September 29 and October 2, were returned two days later where the female had been found. It was a success!
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Did you know?
Six of the eight turtle species in Quebec are at risk! The biology of this reptile is special: some species take up to 25 years to reproduce, and the egg survival rate is naturally very low. Only two in 100 turtles reach adulthood. The survival of mature turtles is therefore essential to maintain a population.
The presence of humans further increases the mortality rate of adult turtles. The causes? Habitat destruction, road fragmentation, disturbances and accidental deaths by road collisions.
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About the Nature Conservancy of Canada
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, NCC has helped to protect more than 1.1 million hectares (2.8 million acres), coast to coast, including 45,000 hectares (111,197 acres) in Quebec. NCC protects new natural areas every day thanks to the collaboration of individuals, landowners, busines-ses, conservation groups, local communities and governments. It is by securing and protecting these natural environments that they can be made accessible to this generation and those to come.
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