Turtle crossing signs erected in Port Franks to protect species

“Turtle crossing signs warn motorists of turtle movement,” said Kari Jean, ABCA Aquatic Biologist. May and June are nesting seasons for turtles. “We are working with the community and municipality to install signs so we can reduce the number of turtle deaths.”

The conservation authority has announced the public’s turtle monitoring program will continue in 2011. Jean invites people to report turtle sightings to her at 519-235-2610 or toll-free1-888-286-2610 or by e-mail at kjean@abca.on.ca. The Port Franks and Grand Bend area provides unique habitat for rare native turtle species. There are only eight native species of turtles in Ontario. Federal and provincial government agencies list seven of those eight species as being at risk. The Painted Turtle is the only one of those eight species not listed at risk.

Snapping Turtles are now a species at risk. “Snapping Turtles are an important part of the ecosystem,” Jean said. “They clean up local water bodies by eating dead animals and fish.” She said there is a concern for the future of the species because predators like raccoons eat turtle eggs, there is a loss of habitat, and some humans with misconceptions about the animal have killed them.

ABCA began the community-based Turtle Monitoring Program in 2010. Staff members have educated local residents about the importance of turtles and have gathered information on the turtle species of Port Franks and area. Residents of the Port Franks community have joined the effort to monitor turtles and report sightings to the conservation authority. Community volunteers provided ABCA with more than 50 reports last year of turtles seen in the area, nesting, or turtle mortalities along roadsides. “We were able to determine, by looking at the turtle sightings and movement over the spring and summer of 2010, that Outer Drive at L Lake is a hotspot for turtle movement and crossing the road,” Jean said.

The local agency asks motorists to slow down and watch for turtles crossing the road, especially during the current nesting time. People operating boats should also watch for turtles.

People who are helping a turtle cross a road should always move the turtle the direction it is already traveling, according to ABCA. “Never pick a turtle up by its tail,” Jean said. “You can damage vertebrae in their back.” People can sometimes carry smaller turtles across the road but safely prodding larger turtles along their way may require a car mat or shovel.

 

PHOTO:  The community of Port Franks and the Municipality of Lambton Shores are working to protect the future of turtles in the area by erecting turtle crossing signs. Shown with new turtle crossing sign at Outer Drive in Port Franks are (left to right) Marcia O’Rae, Port Franks resident and turtle network participant; Nancy Vidler, Port Franks resident and turtle network participant; Bill Weber, Mayor of Municipality of Lambton Shores; and Robbie Bloomfield, Port Franks resident and turtle network participant.

 

 

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