Are you watching for the slow-moving traffic ahead? That slow-moving turtle is probably one of the eight out of nine species of turtles in Ontario which are on the species at risk of extinction list. Yes, folks, please reread this sentence. This is due to our own lack of respect to the habitat required for the turtles to live a peaceful healthy existence. As of 2008, the snapping turtle, which is often seen nesting in the gravel on the side of our roads, was placed on this list. We are fortunate to live in an area of the province that is rich in water habitat. Populations have declined in these areas due to road kill.
These areas sustain a diverse animal population (including us) with clean water. Please do keep an eye out for the slow-moving turtle and the other wildlife which has to cross roadways to find their nesting or feeding grounds in our wetland areas. Should a turtle be spotted on the road in your travels, please do lend them a “hand” in getting them to the other side of the road by putting them on the side of the road in which they are heading. The snapping turtle may try to bite, so consider pulling the back part of the shell onto your car mat before moving it in the direction it was heading. A turtle’s shell will not withstand the weight of a car on its shell nor will it stay alive with a cracked shell. There is a network of caring, knowledgeable people in Eastern Ontario who are ready to nurse an injured turtle back to health. Please visit www.turtleshelltortue.org (click emergency on menu) to familiarize yourself with the best practices for looking after an injured turtle and the network of volunteers available 24/7. Do take note of the area where the turtle was found so that it can be returned to its family when healed. Your consideration, help and respect will help to insure healthy populations of turtles for generations to come. Please proceed with caution in areas indicated by the “Turtle Crossing” signs. These signs were made possible through the caring and generosity of the Cornwall & District Environment Committee, the South Glengarry Environment Committee, SDG County Roads Department, TD Friends of the Environment, Cornwall Electric, Catherine Ledevin, McKay Line Pole and the non-profit Canadian organization Turtle Shell Tortue.
Species at risk
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