Driving through Wellington County and encountering a turtle on the road can now prompt a call to a new emergency hotline for assistance. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group initiated this hotline in August in response to the high mortality rate of turtles in the county.

Sandy Nicholls, the founder of the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group, highlighted the pressing need for this initiative due to the abundance of wetlands, gravel pits, and turtles in Wellington County. She explained that the hotline was established because many individuals would contact the group’s social media platforms regarding stranded turtles without providing location details.

During nesting season, which sees heightened activity from male turtles in May and females in June, the hotline proves most crucial. Nicholls emphasized that the turtle species in Wellington County, primarily snapping turtles and painted turtles, are rapidly decreasing in number.

Factors such as road mortality, habitat loss, and illegal poaching contribute significantly to this decline. Snapping turtles are listed as a species at risk in Ontario and are deemed a matter of special concern.

Although Midland and eastern painted turtles are federally labeled as special concern, they do not hold the same status in Ontario. The Canadian government website attributes the decline of painted turtles to the loss of approximately 70% of wetlands in southern Ontario over the past two centuries.

Nicholls stressed the importance of contacting the hotline even if a turtle appears deceased or severely injured. Injured turtles are transferred to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for necessary medical attention, including procedures such as using pins and screws for treatment.

Even in cases where a turtle has passed away, Nicholls advised contacting the hotline, as female turtles may still carry viable eggs. Extracting and incubating these eggs could potentially contribute to the preservation of the species.

The efforts of the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group involve responding to turtle-related calls, safeguarding nests, caring for hatchlings, and releasing them into favorable environments. Nicholls also mentioned the existence of a hotline operated by the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for reporting injured turtles anywhere in Ontario.

To reach the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group hotline, individuals can dial 226-906-7014.