Newsletter April 2022
The data from 2022 is in! While turtles hibernate peacefully at the bottom of lakes, ponds, marshes and streams, Carapace.ca is at work compiling and validating the data collected by our faithful observers during the summer season of 2021. The lockdown did not slow down sightings; to the contrary, no fewer than 1277 sightings were reported in 2021, for an annual total of 1999 individual turtles sighted! This is a record high since the platform's creation in 2017, and it’s the number of times that we have to say thank you for your part in protecting Quebec’s turtle.
On that note, if you are interested in doing more, the Nature Conservancy of Canada is currently looking for volunteers to help protect the map turtle in the Montreal area. Please join us! All activities will be conducted in accordance with health guidelines. To express your interest, click here. |
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2021: a record-breaking year!
During the 2021 season, 1,999 turtles were reported on the carapace.ca platform! In total, since the launch, 8,000 turtles have been reported by 4,356 unique observers.
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Breakdown of reports by region
The trend held in 2021 with well-distributed participation across the province. One species, a leatherback turtle sighted in Gaspé, was reported for the very first time! Since this marine turtle only ventures on land to lay its eggs, sightings of the species are particularly rare in Quebec. This was also our first report from the Gaspé region.
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Results of Carapace reports by species
In 2021, the snapping turtle maintained its title as the most frequently observed turtle with over 1000 records. The painted turtle remains in second place with 717 records (Table 4). The number of exotic turtles observed stayed relatively stable, with 18 observations in 2021. It should be remembered that these turtles should not have been released into the wild since they can compete with our native turtles and thus be detrimental to the maintenance of their populations.
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Breakdown of Carapace reports of injured or dead turtles
In 2021, the most frequently observed species were also the species that are most frequently reported dead or injured, namely the snapping turtle (45%) and the painted turtle (41%). In 2021, 9% of reported turtles were dead or injured, compared to 7% in 2020. Installing road signs to warn of the presence of turtles is one way to reduce mortality in areas where turtle traffic has been confirmed. With the breeding season just around the corner, turtles will begin to move towards their nesting sites. It is therefore important to be vigilant when driving through wetlands, to prevent road mortality.
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A rehabilitation center to care for turtles in Quebec
After receiving numerous reports of injured turtles and not having a designated official resource in the province to care for them, Éco-Nature started a Turtle Rehabilitation Center in 2016. Its mission is to reduce the mortality of native turtles to help conserve local populations. With the help of volunteer veterinarians, the centre provides care for injured and sick turtles, takes in turtles from illegal captivity so they can return to the wild. To date, 167 turtles have been cared for. Nearly 60% of them have been able to return to the wild, and many others will be ready to be released in the summer of 2022.
If you come across an injured turtle, contact Éco-Nature right away by email at sostortues@eco-nature.ca or, beginning in May 2022, by telephone at 1 800-TORTUES.
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How can you protect a turtle nest?
The nesting period is usually around mid-June. If you are lucky enough to see a turtle laying eggs, keep a safe distance so as not to disturb it. Laying often occurs at dusk or during the night, but sometimes a turtle will decide to nest in your lawn or flowerbed in broad daylight. If you wish to invest time in protecting the nest, it is possible to build a protective cage at home. The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) has produced an easy-to-follow guide that is freely available online! Click here to view it.
Installing cages requires some monitoring in May and June because to locate a nest, you must see the turtle laying eggs and then install the cage when it leaves the nest. The egg laying often takes place at dusk or during the night. The cage will have to remain in place until the end of October to allow time for all the eggs to hatch. In any case, if you find a turtle laying eggs, keep a good distance. A disturbed female can easily abandon her nest.
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What should you do if you come across an exotic turtle?
Sometimes, Carapace.ca observers report exotic turtles, that is to say, turtles that should not be found in natural environments. These sightings frequently occur in urban centers.
If you observe an exotic turtle in a natural habitat or near your home, it is important not to release it into the wild and to contact a worker to guide you on the steps to take. If you have captured an exotic turtle, please contact the rehabilitation center Eco-Nature.
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Carapace is on iNaturalist!
The Carapace project is now on the iNaturalist platform. For those of you who are handy with apps, it is now possible to fill out your report forms directly on the iNaturalist app. To do so, simply:
- Download application
- Add the Carapace project
- Make a observation report
- Link the report to Carapace.ca and done!
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About Nature Conservancy of Canada
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the country’s unifying force for nature. NCC seeks solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale, permanent land conservation.
As a trusted partner NCC works with people, communities, businesses and government to protect and care for our country’s most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought Canadians together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares.
NCC is a registered charity. Together with nature, NCC is creating a more prosperous world.
To find out more: natureconservancy.ca.
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