In Wellington County, motorists encountering turtles on the road now have access to a new emergency hotline for assistance. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group recently introduced the hotline in response to a concerning increase in turtle fatalities within the county. Sandy Nicholls, the founder of the group, emphasized the urgent need for this service due to the abundance of wetlands, gravel pits, and turtles in the area.
Prior to the hotline’s launch, many individuals would seek help for stranded turtles via social media but often failed to provide specific location details. The hotline now prompts callers with tailored questions to pinpoint the exact whereabouts of the distressed turtle, especially crucial during nesting season when male turtles are most active in May and females in June.
The county’s turtle population, predominantly consisting of snapping turtles and painted turtles, is experiencing a significant decline. Factors such as road accidents, habitat destruction, and illegal poaching are contributing to this decline. Snapping turtles are classified as a species at risk in Ontario, listed as a special concern.
Despite appearances, Sandy Nicholls stresses the importance of contacting the hotline even if a turtle seems deceased or severely injured. Injured turtles are transferred to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for medical treatment, where they may undergo procedures like pinning and screwing to mend their injuries. In the case of deceased female turtles, there is a possibility of extracting and incubating any eggs they may be carrying.
The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group is actively involved in responding to turtle distress calls, safeguarding nests, rescuing hatchlings, and releasing them into suitable environments. Additionally, Nicholls mentions that the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre operates its own hotline for injured turtle reports across Ontario.
To reach the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group hotline, individuals can dial 226-906-7014 for assistance.