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Concerning Number of Turtles Hit By Cars

Wednesday, 19 July 2017 at 08:36

Photo Courtesy UTRCA

The UTRCA is once again imploring drivers to keep an eye out for turtles as the nesting season drags out.

WOODSTOCK - This year has proved to be a particularly deadly one for Ontario's turtle population.

An unusually high number of turtles have been struck and killed by cars so far this year.

Steve Sauder, a Marketing Specialist at the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, tells Heart FM motorists need to keep their eyes peeled for our slow moving friends.

"Nesting season has been longer than normal. It started a bit later and now it has been lengthened out and so for that reason we seem to be getting more turtles that are getting run over."

He also explained some ways to help the reptiles across the road.

"You can nudge the turtle along with a longer stick or something while staying well back from the turtle. If it is safe to do so and you have gloves and you know how to pick up a turtle properly, you can also pick it up and carry it across the road in the way it was travelling."

Drivers are also reminded to slow down when driving by wetlands and move around turtles when it is safe to do so. 

Several turtle species in Ontario and Oxford County are considered at risk - some have even been classified as endangered. Some of the turtles you may encounter in our area according to the UTRCA include the spotted turtle (endangered), Blanding's turtle (threatened), and the spiny softshell turtle (endangered)

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