Toronto, ON –This summer, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is working with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to establish Wood Turtle nesting sites on NCC properties in Ontario. Wood Turtles are listed as a species at risk both federally (threatened) and in Ontario (endangered).
“Artificial nesting sites mimic the ‘ideal’ nest site conditions of a Wood Turtle,” said an MNR biologist working on the project (they are not identified in an effort to protect the location of Wood Turtle populations which suffer from illegal collection for the pet trade). “In Ontario, where habitat loss and degradation is a big concern, artificial sites help provide safe Wood Turtle nesting habitat.”
Sometimes, what appears to be an ideal nest site to a Wood Turtle can in fact be hazardous. Laying eggs at active aggregate pits and in farmers’ fields increases the risk for eggs as they may be inadvertently destroyed. Wood Turtles do not stay with their nest after the eggs are laid so the nest needs to be protected from disturbance. Artificial nesting sites can also be better protected against nest predators such as Raccoons, which greatly increases the number of turtle hatchlings.
Suitable artificial nesting sites are chosen by monitoring where turtles lay their eggs and if the eggs successfully hatch. Safe nesting sites are critical for maintaining Wood Turtle populations. When creating these artificial nests, Wood Turtle biologists look for areas close to running water that allow enough sunlight penetration to keep the eggs warm during incubation.
Artificial nests have been successful in attracting female Wood Turtles. “In one region, more than sixty percent of the nests that were located last year were found in the artificial nesting sites,” noted the MNR biologist who says they have been creating sites in the area for over ten years.
In Ontario, NCC continues to protect and manage habitat for Wood Turtles. Please join NCC in protecting species at risk by making a donation today. Call 1-888-277-7514, extension 263 or email us at ontario@natureconservancy.ca.
For more information on Wood Turtles please visit: www.natureconservancy.ca/WoodTurtle
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada’s leading land conservation organization. Since 1962, NCC has helped to protect more than 2 million acres (800,000 hectares) of ecologically significant land nationwide.
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Photo: Ryan M. Bolton.
More information on Wood Turtles and interviews with NCC science staff.
Contact:
Laura Mousseau
Communications Coordinator, Ontario Region
Tel: 519-830-7770
Email: laura.mousseau@natureconservancy.ca
www.natureconservancy.ca/ontario
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