Turtle Protectors

These Snapping Turtle Hatchlings don't look like hatchlings because instead of overwintering at the bottom of a wetland, they stayed at !

They stayed at TWC because they needed care in the fall.

It is truly amazing what staying active and eating for 7 months will do. They are massive compared to loonie and toonie sized hatchlings.

The hope is that they are now big enough that many of the predators who might have consumed them (heron, egret, bullfrog, large fish, even other Snapping Turtles) won't be able to.

We wish the hatchlings who were released today, good health and a good long life!

Miigwetch to the all of the staff and volunteers at the Toronto Wildlife Centre. We love working with you and really appreciate the care you show to the patients we bring. Our collaboration shows just how much work and effort it takes to stop or slow turtle population declines (and if we're lucky to increase them!)

Come to High Park today through Friday (10:00 am to 1:00 pm) to meet your turtle neighbours. This outreach piece is part of our turtle population study of 4 Toronto Parks. Ethan and Dave from York University start the day by spending time talking to turtles. Something like, "Hi turtles. We have some hoop nets in the water. They are safe places. If you enter, we will give you a health check and take some measurements and then release you exactly where we found you. We are grateful to meet you."

We know our conservation efforts has value for each turtle we meet and for the humans who do this work (it feels so good). This study will show the impact our work has on turtle populations 10 years from now.

Turtle Protectors volunteers and Canada Summer Jobs Staff release all of the turtles. This gives everyone the chance to practice picking up turtles - a skill that will inevitably save turtle lives.

Miigwetch to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and to City of Toronto Neighbourhood Climate Action Grant for supporting this community outreach!

First nesting mama of the season here in Toronto - Midland Painted Turtle, May 30, 7:00 pm (ish)

Typically Midland Painted Turtles start the season off. They are followed by Snapping Turtles and then some Midland Painted Turtles lay a second clutch.

In general Snapping Turtles nest in the very early mornings, as night turns to day and the birds are singing. Midland Painted Turtles like late afternoon and evening.

Unfortunately, we also got a call about a turtles who had been hit near Centennial Park. Turtle was transported to where she underwent surgery. To get a sense of turtles' incredible ability to heal watch this 15 minute documentary, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHnIZ_Aaed8

Please call our hotline if you see a turtle on land in Toronto, 647-491-4057

Turtles are on the move!!! In the last two days, we've had adult turtles leaving water at Colonel Sam Smith, High Park and Smythe and hatchlings too! The one featured here was spotted by a park goer at Sunnyside Park.

If you see a turtle or hatchling on land in your local park please call our hotline at 647-491-4057.

If they are trying to cross or road or busy path and IT IS SAFE for you, please help turtle across in the direction they are travelling NOT the direction you think they should go.

To pick up a turtle please grab them firmly (think a sandwich you don't want to drop) between their front and back legs. DO NOT PICK UP A TURTLE BY THEIR TAIL. THEIR TAIL IS PART OF THEIR SPINE SO YOU COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY.
Check out our short YouTube video to get a sense of what this looks like, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbS9RgpO-Qo

Miigwetch to Sharon Freeman for capturing the Snapping Turtle on land at Colonel Sam Smith! Turtle was so lucky to have you there to ensure they were safe!