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Winter 2023 Newsletter

 
The 2022 data are validated! In 2022, we received the first turtle sighting on www.carapace.ca on March 25! The sighting was of a painted turtle that braved the snow to move in the first light of spring.

Did you know that the painted turtle is the most resistant to the cold of the turtles native to Quebec? Its genetic adaptations allow it to survive the freezing of more than 50% of its body water and ensure a high tolerance to anoxia, a significant decrease in available oxygen in the natural environment as is the case in winter. The painted turtle can even move at temperatures up to -10°C!
Painted turtle; Photo by Dominick Clos

News from the Carapace project

Report Card 2022: Another record number of reports!


During the 2022 season, 1,344 observation forms were submitted via the carapace.ca platform. This is the highest number of sightings recorded in one year since the platform was created in 2017 when 636 observations were made. Thanks to you, we have doubled the number of annual reports on the platform. Thank you so much to all the new observers and dedicated users who use the platform year after year.

The more data we receive, the more data the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and its partners benefit from to help protect and recover turtles in Quebec!
Northern map turtles; Photo by Chantal Bourgault
The 1,344 observation forms from 2022 represent 1,782 turtles, of which 5.7% were roadkill. Adding the injured turtles, we find that nearly 7% of the turtles were directly affected by the road mortality problem. We remind you that a late sexual maturity and a high rate of predation of eggs and hatchlings make turtles one of the most threatened groups of animals by road mortality. It is therefore important to continue to record observations of turtles on roads in order to reduce the pressure exerted by this threat on turtle populations in Quebec.

A new infrastructure to protect turtles in the Outaouais


The data collected on the Carapace platform has allowed us to identify and improve a road section that is problematic for road mortality in the Outaouais. Indeed, this section, bordered by two large wetlands, caused the death of several snapping turtles between 2017 and 2021. In order to address this issue, a project was initiated to construct a specific exclusion fence for herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians). This nearly 1 km long fence excludes turtles from the road by guiding them to a culvert that serves as a safe passage between wetlands separated by the busy road. This allows turtles to safely cross under the road rather than risk being run over by high-speed vehicles.

Hotspots of turtle road mortality are often located where roads border or cross water environments (wetlands, lakes, rivers, etc.). At these locations, turtles will need to cross roads frequently during their annual movements in order to use the peripheral habitats present. This exposes them to a greater risk of collision, especially during nesting season for females. Therefore, it is always important when driving near water environments to slow down and pay attention to turtles on the road, especially in the spring and early summer.
Exclusion fencing; Photo by NCC

Analysis of Carapace data: locating road mortality hot spots


NCC has begun an analysis of the 7,220 forms submitted by Carapace users since 2017 to identify hotspots of turtle road mortality across Quebec. Knowing the location of problematic road sections will allow conservation organizations and municipalities to take actions to reduce the risk of mortality at specific locations. The results of this analysis will be shared with our conservation partners in order to involve as many actors as possible in the implementation of these actions.

These actions could include the installation of turtle crossing signs, the installation of exclusion fences, the monitoring of stretches by a network of volunteers and the construction of wildlife crossings.
Nesting Wood turtle; Photo by Patricia Lambert

About the 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 most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought Canadians together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares, including nearly 50,000 hectares in Quebec. 
 

NCC is a registered charity. With nature, NCC builds a thriving world. 
 

To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.
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Projet Carapace - Conservation de la nature Canada
1055 Bd René-Lévesque E Bureau 300,
Montréal, Québec
H2L 4S5
Canada

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Carapace Project - Nature Conservancy of Canada · 1055 Bd René-Lévesque E Bureau 300 · Montreal, Quebec H2L 4S5 · Canada

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