Help Freshwater Turtles

Freshwater turtles are one of the most endangered groups of animals in Canada. The main threats to freshwater turtles in Canada are:

• Road mortality
• Habitat loss
• Nest predation
• Poaching for the pet trade

Currently all eight species of freshwater turtles in Canada have been designated species at risk by the federal government. But the Canadian Wildlife Federation believes that we can help conservation efforts for these at-risk species. We are working with partners and landowners, the government and YOU to move forward in helping freshwater turtles in Canada.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation continues to work with regional partners, community groups, lake associations and individuals to reduce risks to turtles. Our goal is to ensure the long-term survival of turtle populations by focusing on three key priorities:

1) Protecting wetland habitat
2) Decreasing road mortality
3) Increasing hatchling survival

The CWF Eastern Ontario Turtle Project continues to work in the greater Ottawa area.

Past Turtle Project: Scales Nature Park Central Ontario Turtle Project >

Loss of wetland habitats and the convenience offered by soft shoulders adjacent to roadways means more turtles are nesting in high-risk areas. This is a major reason for the increase in road mortality affecting Canada’s turtle populations. Here are some ways you can help reduce the number of turtles being killed or injured along roadways each year:

It is important to know when a turtle needs help and when it does not.

During late May and June, many turtles are crossing roads to find a place to lay their eggs. Those turtles need a turtle hero to move them safely off the road.

• It is unresponsive (it can be hard to determine if a turtle has died so err on the side of caution)
• It has head or limb injuries, or cracks to its shell
• It is found upside down and is unable to right itself, which may indicate dehydration and overheating

If you have found a turtle hit by a vehicle, do not assume it is dead even if it is unresponsive. Turtles can survive major injuries. Aside from Snapping Turtles, most turtle species can be carefully picked up with two hands at the sides of their shell.

• Place the turtle on a damp towel in a well-ventilated plastic bin with a secure lid. Do not provide any food or water.
• Keep the container in a dark, quiet place away from people and pets. Do not provide any additional heat source for the turtle.
• Contact a rehab centre for advice as soon as possible.

Another widespread threat is the accidental hooking of turtles on fishing lines. Many freshwater turtles are vulnerable to getting caught on baited fishing hooks. Often anglers will simply cut the fishing line, so the hook remains caught in the turtle.

If you are in one of the following provinces and hook a turtle call the provided phone number. Each agency will provide medical care to injured turtles at no charge and may be able to arrange transportation for the turtle. Keep the phone number in your tackle box in case you hook a turtle. For other provinces check for wildlife rehabilitation centres that work with turtles.

• British Columbia:
  Vancouver Island: MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre (250) 337-2021 or BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (855) 622-7722
  Lower Mainland: Wildlife Rescue Association (604) 526-7275
  Interior BC: BC Wildlife Park (Kamloops) (250) 573-3242
• Manitoba: Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre (204) 878-3740
• Ontario: Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (705) 741-5000
• Quebec: Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles (450) 622-1020 ext. 286
• Atlantic Canada: Atlantic Wildlife Institute (506) 364-1902

Learn about the eight native and one exotic species of freshwater turtles found in Canada, as well as the Leatherback Seaturtle.

David Seburn is the Freshwater Turtle Specialist at the Canadian Wildlife Federation. David has worked on amphibian and reptile conservation for more than 20 years. He has written status reports, recovery strategies and more than a dozen scientific papers on amphibians and reptiles, radio-tracked turtles through swamps, and spoken to hundreds of people about turtle conservation. In 2020, he was presented with the Blue Racer Award from the Canadian Herpetological Society for significant contribution to the conservation of Canadian amphibians and reptiles.

“Turtles are so amazing! They have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. Now all of Canada’s species of freshwater turtles are at risk. We can all do our part to help the turtles.”

Painted Turtles are the most widespread freshwater turtle in Canada. In most of Canada, Painted Turtles are not listed as at risk under the Species at Risk Act, however the Pacific Coast population is considered Endangered and the Intermountain population is listed as of Special Concern. These turtles face many threats including habitat loss and road mortality. When you buy this Adopt-an-Animal, all funds go to help conservation of freshwater turtles in Canada.

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