Double Alert...Snappers on roads- three weeks early

Large ancient and vulnerable snappers are already on roads in high traffic areas. This picture was taken minutes ago by one of our volunteer Road Researchers in Peterborough- who helped this adult snapping turtle across the busy road. This occurrence, of snappers on roads in these areas, is approx. 3 weeks earlier than in previous years. Please drive with care - and pass the message on!
Also, consider volunteering to help our amazing agents of biodiversity, the turtles- who can take about 60 years to be replaced in nature: https://www.turtleguardians.com/volunteering/

If you find an injured turtle on any road in Ontario, please do not leave it there, and if it is safe to retrieve it, put it in a dry box. Do not feed it. Take note of the location (using smart phones with picture may allow coordinates to be taken too). Call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, home of the Trauma Centre, at 705-741-5000, or contact your nearest wildlife rehabilitation centre.

Get Outside Safely After Lock-Down By Becoming Turtle Crossing-Site Monitors

It can take up to 60 years for one turtle to be replaced in nature. Turtles are keystone species that support entire ecosystems- and also the fish and wildlife within them. Turtles cannot readily be relocated to new areas to repopulate areas as they imprint their home ranges when they are hatchlings and they cannot simply remake these "mind maps" of their feeding, hibernation and mating sites. When turtles travel in their home ranges, the younger turtles are eating carrion and other protein which helps to keep water free of harmful pathogens, and the older turtles are consuming seeds and vegetation, so as they walk to the next destination, they spread seeds which grow into new fish nurseries and habitats for wildlife. Without turtles in our environments, our health and wellbeing are at risk. Turtle populations are declining at unprecedented and unsustainable rates- It is estimated that more than 50% of turtles have been lost in Ontario already. The major threat to turtles is road traffic and resulting injury or mortality. This summer Turtle Guardians are partnering with Peterborough and Haliburton County Road Departments to enable volunteers to monitor high mortality/road-crossing areas; and assist turtles in trouble, in these zones...saving essential species in our communities while building skills to help turtles everywhere! Training, including turtle ecology, safety protocols, identification, and safe-handling skills will be provided to volunteers.

Take a turn monitoring turtles in high crossing zones and help them across the roads

We need volunteers in Haliburton for
1. Gelert Road
2. CR 21
3. CR 121
4. CR 3
And in Peterborough at
1. Nassau Mills
2. Highway 45 by Bobcaygeon
3. Highway 36 by Nogies Creek
4. CR 507

If you are interested in volunteering call or text Leora at 705-854-2888 or please complete this form. Thank you for your support and interest

Lend a Helping Hand to Turtles This Summer- Volunteer With Us

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Our mailing address is:
Box 1368. Haliburton, ON, K0M 1S0

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