Why Wellington County’s Turtle Deaths Are So High – and How a New Hotline Helps

In August, the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group launched a turtle emergency hotline to answer the county’s high turtle mortality, according to founder Sandy Nicholls.

Wellington County has many wetlands, many gravel pits, and many turtles, so turtles often end up on roads during travel.

The main turtles in the area are snapping turtles and painted turtles, and both are in rapid decline, said Nicholls. She noted that land owners now see far fewer turtles on pond logs than before.

Road mortality, habitat loss, and illegal poaching are identified as the main causes of the decline, explained Nicholls.

About 70% of wetlands in southern Ontario have been lost over the past 200 years, which has helped the turtle populations drop, according to a Canadian government source.

The hotline asks callers for exact locations and helps rescue stranded or injured turtles, especially during the nesting season in May and June. Even if a turtle looks dead, the group asks people to call because eggs may still be saved.

By giving quick help and collecting data, the hotline aims to protect the remaining turtles and slow their decline.

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