Driving through Wellington County and coming across a turtle on the road? A new emergency hotline is now available to provide assistance. The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group recently introduced its hotline in response to the high turtle mortality rate in the area.

Founder of the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group, Sandy Nicholls, highlighted the urgent need for the hotline in the county due to the abundance of wetlands, gravel pits, and turtles. Nicholls mentioned that many individuals used to contact the group’s social media platforms regarding stranded turtles but often failed to provide the location.

The hotline aims to gather specific information regarding the stranded or injured turtle’s exact location by asking individuals targeted questions. Nicholls emphasized the hotline’s importance during nesting season, with male turtles being most active in May and females in June.

The county is home to primarily snapping turtles and painted turtles, both of which are experiencing a significant decline in population. Factors contributing to this decline include road mortality, habitat loss, and illegal poaching.

Snapping turtles are listed as a species at risk in Ontario, labeled as “special concern.” Midland and eastern painted turtles are federally recognized as “special concern” but not in Ontario. The loss of approximately 70% of wetlands in southern Ontario over the past two centuries has led to a decline in painted turtle populations.

Even if a turtle appears deceased or severely injured, Nicholls urges people to contact the hotline. Injured turtles are transferred to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for medical treatment, where they may undergo procedures like pinning and screwing to mend their injuries.

Nicholls stressed the importance of calling the hotline even if the turtle is deceased, as females may still have viable eggs. These eggs can be extracted, incubated, and then released back into their original wetland habitat.

The Wellington Turtle Conservation Group is actively involved in responding to turtle-related calls, safeguarding nests, collecting hatchlings, and releasing them under optimal conditions. Nicholls also mentioned the availability of a hotline at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for reporting injured turtles across Ontario.

For assistance from the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group hotline, individuals can call 226-906-7014.