Spring 2009 Newsletter

In this issue:
Turtle Handling 101
Volunteer Positions at the KTTC
An Updated Herpetofaunal Atlas for Ontario Beginning in 2009
Spotlight on the Spotted Turtle
Precious Little Turtles on the Brink
Turtle Myths Busted
Understanding the Endangered Species Act 2007
Turtle Crossing Signs
Legend's Babies








Turtle Handling 101
By Brooke Bays

Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to the other side! Spring is just about here and turtles will once again be braving our roadways and dodging our lawnmowers. Although wild animals are usually best left alone, sometimes they need our help and there is, of course, a proper way to do so. The following tips will assist in making sure both you and the injured turtle get through the rescue mission safely.

• Before anything else, make sure it is safe for you to pull over and help the turtle in need!
  
• If you are helping an uninjured turtle off the road, always be sure to move the animal in the direction it is headed – even if it is travelling away from the nearest source of water. The turtle may be on its way for a traditional nesting site or hibernation area.
  
• Species such as painted turtles or Blanding’s turtles can be picked up by the shell and placed out of harm’s way.
  
• Be careful helping a Snapping Turtle across the road – keep a safe distance from their head as they will snap at you if they feel threatened. An uninjured animal can be coaxed across the road using a shovel or a board, or by allowing it to bite a long stick and pulling it across the road. Never pick up a turtle by the tail; you may damage its spine.
  
• If you must pick up a snapping turtle by hand, do so by sliding fingers behind the turtle's hind legs, with the tail between your hands and gripping the shell between your fingers and thumbs. You may also slide one hand under the turtle’s belly to grab a hold of the plastron (the belly shell). Snappers are very strong and will squirm and thrash their hind legs making it difficult to hold on. A Snapper cannot reach all the way to its tail, despite popular belief, but can reach about half way.
  
• If you find an injured turtle and would like to bring it into the KTTC or another rehabilitation centre make note of the location where the turtle is found. Once the turtle has recovered it will need to be returned to its territory and the information will be useful in determining mortality hotspots.
  
• Injured animals should be carefully placed in a clean, well-ventilated container with a lid (so they don’t crawl out). An injured Snapper may be placed into the container using shovel or piece of wood, or if you must use your hands, lift the turtle only just off the ground and into the container.
  
• Take a damp piece of cloth and place it over the turtle’s head. This will reduce stress.
  
• Do not try to offer the turtle food or water.
  
• Keep the container in the shade (do not leave the turtle in a hot car in summer!)
  
• Call ahead to make sure the turtle will be accepted. If you live in the Kawarthas you can check our website for our phone number and drop-off locations which will be updated once we’ve found a new location. In other areas of the province a local wildlife rehabilitation centre or vet may be able to help you.
  
• Wash your hands thoroughly!
  

If you find a turtle that is not injured and not in immediate danger, kindly leave it be. Never take a wild turtle home as a pet!


Volunteer Opportunities at the KTTC
There are several new volunteer opportunities at the KTTC. Thre are several ways to help us help turtles:

Turtle Taxi Drivers
Fundraising Volunteers
Turtle Talk Volunteers
Turtle Times Writers
Webmaster
Building Maintenance Volunteer
Grant Writer

Or if you have another skill or talent that you'd like to share please let us know!


An Updated Herpetofaunal Atlas for Ontario Beginning in 2009
By Joe Crowley
Ontario Nature Reptiles at Risk Project Coordinator
joec@ontarionature.org

Thirty of Ontario’s forty-three species of reptiles are listed as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Many of Ontario’s reptile species only occur in the southernmost parts of the province, which has become one of the most developed regions in Canada. As a result, habitat loss, roads, and other threats have caused drastic population declines, and some species have disappeared from many areas altogether. For example, the massasauga populations on the Bruce Peninsula were once continuous with those of eastern Georgian Bay, but now no longer occur south of Wiarton. The current distribution of the massasauga in Ontario is highly correlated with habitat loss and road density, suggesting that this range retraction is the result of the northward encroachment of agriculture, development, and roads in southern Ontario.

The rapid disappearance of reptiles throughout southern Ontario demonstrates the urgent need to identify and protect remaining populations. The previous Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary (OHS) Atlas has been compiling reptile and amphibian distribution data since 1984, and in that time approximately 150,000 records have been added to the database. Although the OHS database has provided an exceptional account of species distributions at the provincial scale, the locations of many populations remain unknown, and detailed information about population abundance or status is out of date in many areas.

In 2008, Ontario Nature received funding from the Environment Canada Habitat Stewardship Program, the OMNR Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, and the Metcalf Internship Program to begin a Reptiles at Risk project in Grey and Bruce counties. Populations of all at-risk reptiles in Ontario Nature’s Nature Reserves in Grey and Bruce counties were identified, important habitat was mapped, and management plans were drafted for each population. An outreach campaign was also initiated in order to increase awareness of reptile conservation, promote habitat stewardship, and reduce human persecution, road mortality, illegal collection and other threats. During Ontario Nature’s reptile work in Grey and Bruce counties, several new populations of at-risk reptiles were discovered, and it became apparent that the locations of many populations of reptiles have not been documented in this region.

Around the same time, the Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) received funding from the Environment Canada Habitat Stewardship Program and the OMNR Species at Risk Stewardship Fund to develop the methodology and framework for an Eastern Ontario Herpetofaunal Atlas and Awareness Program. An extensive outreach campaign was also developed for eastern Ontario to encourage participation in the atlas program and provide information about reptile and amphibian identification and conservation in eastern Ontario.

Through a partnership with the EOMF, the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC), and other government and non-government groups, Ontario Nature is expanding the eastern Ontario atlas framework and building on the Grey-Bruce reptiles at risk program to begin an updated Ontario Herpetofaunal Atlas Program. Beginning in the spring of 2009, volunteers are encouraged to submit observations of reptiles and amphibians from anywhere in Ontario. Observation data can be reported by filling in an online form, or multiple observations can be entered into a downloadable Excel atlas reporting form and submitted over e-mail. A printable data sheet is available for participants to take into the field with them, and these completed forms can also be mailed in. Observations should be accompanied with photographs whenever possible to help confirm the identity of the species being reported. For the 2009 field season, the EOMF is holding a photo contest with monthly prizes for photos submitted with atlas observations from eastern Ontario. When conducting surveys for the atlas program, reptiles and amphibians should not be harassed or handled, and great care should be taken to avoid altering or destroying habitat. Atlas participants are also reminded to be respectful of private property and to never trespass in search of wildlife.

Groups that wish to participate in the herpetofaunal atlas program should contact Joe Crowley at joec@ontarionature.org to inquire about training workshops, volunteer survey events, herpetofaunal atlas program materials, and reptile and amphibian ID guides. Organizations with pre-existing reptile and amphibian occurrence data are encouraged to contribute their data to the atlas program as well. The data collected by the atlas will help to ensure that planning decisions, stewardship, habitat protection, and status assessments are better informed. For more information about the herpetofaunal atlas and photo contest or to submit observations, please visit the Eastern Ontario Model Forest’s website.


Spotlight on the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)
By Danielle Tassie

People who work in wildlife rehabilitation are supposed to avoid words like “cute” and “cuddly”. Wildlife in our care are just that – wild. We are not supposed to think of them as cute.

That being said, the Spotted Turtle is one cute wild animal. This is the smallest turtle you'll find in Ontario, with adults growing to just 9-12 cm long. Along with the size, you can tell it's a Spotted Turtle by the smooth, dark shell, legs and head, scattered with bright yellow spots.

The Spotted Turtle lives in Northeastern North America. In Ontario small numbers of these turtles are found near Lake Erie, Georgian Bay and along the St. Lawrence River.

Spotted turtles like small, shallow water bodies such as ponds, marshes, woodland streams, even ditches – anything with soft bottoms and lots of vegetation.

These turtles like their rest. When it's really hot in the summer, they're resting in cool wetlands or in forest leaf litter. During the “winter” (which may begin in early fall) the Spotted Turtle is dormant at the bottom of ponds and marshes (often grouped with several other Spotted Turtles).

Their one period of activity is late spring. Like many of Ontario's turtles, the female Spotted Turtle lays its eggs in late May or June. She will lay anywhere from 1-8 eggs, which hatch 60-80 days later. Like all turtles, the mother's work is done as soon as she lays her eggs. Turtles do not sit on their nests, and as soon as the babies hatch, they know exactly what to do and where to go!

Like all turtles, the little Spotted Turtle faces some big threats; habitat loss, destruction of wetlands, water pollution, and illegal collection for the pet trade. These small gentle turtles are appealing to us people, and unfortunately many wild turtles are collected and sold as pets. (So, please, never ever buy wild caught turtles!). Turtle eggs are also eaten by animals such as raccoons and skunks.

The Spotted Turtle is a “Species at Risk” in Ontario. It's Endangered in Ontario and throughout Canada.


Precious Little Turtles on the Brink…
By Steve Marks

One of my personal favourite species of reptile that lives here in our province is the spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata. It’s Canada’s smallest species of turtle, and they’re easily our most beautiful! With bright orange skin, yellow spots on a jet black shell, the cutest little faces, and spunk and personality to spare, they are one of Ontario’s true natural treasures.

Spotted turtles have a tough time of it here in Ontario. In fact, they aren’t doing well anywhere they occur. There are many pressures to this species, and very little relief in sight in a lot of the places they subsist. One real threat is collection for the pet trade. It is illegal in this part of the world to keep the species without a special permit, but elsewhere, spotted turtles can be legally bought and sold. Where they are bred in captivity, that is just fine, but the numbers produced in captivity does not feed the demand for these wonderful little turtles. Therefore, the demand for wild caught animals is very real and these turtles are collected by unscrupulous individuals looking to make a quick buck.

Where the landscape is disturbed, the species seems to be quite sensitive. Even in Provincial Parks, the disturbances that can occur are not favourable to these little turtles. From 1995 to 2002, I conducted an informal volunteer study of spotted turtles for a park. It was created in 1975. It’s not a very large area, by Provincial Park standards, and yet there were hundreds of spotted turtles living within the boundaries. Between 1976 and 1978 most of the critical habitat in the park was altered, as the campgrounds and other recreational areas were developed. Family camping became the primary function of this little park, and today it boasts several hundred sites, most of which occur in previously occupied spotted turtle habitat.

As the years went by, another huge pressure for today’s turtles emerged in full force. Predator populations were being rapidly subsidized. Campers unknowingly (or consciously) feed raccoons, creating more body fat in the adults, which therefore produce more young. The population flourishes, only to put more pressure on whatever species the raccoons naturally prey upon. So, with a deflated population of spotted turtles within this park due to habitat destruction, and dramatically increased pressure on the turtles from subsidized predator populations, the spotted turtles have disappeared from the park. Additionally, while the actual reasons are unknown, a spotted turtle population at Point Pelee National Park that was once as populous as painted turtles, disappeared entirely after the creation of that park (Browne and Hecnar, Biological Conservation 138 (2007) 421–429).

I was able to locate a population not terribly far away from the Park thanks to a local naturalist, and conducted a mark and re-capture study to assess the population. Over the next three years, several members of the KTTC came out to help. Ideally, if I could prove that the site harboured a substantial number of the now endangered spotted turtle, I would hopefully be able to rally for some real protection for the land – and therefore the turtles. I handed over all my results to someone far more capable of levying support for this protection and today that site is being studied by Laurentian University’s Dr. Jacqueline Litzgus and MSc. candidate Megan Rasmussen. Hopefully these wonderful people can get the deed done, and this population of wonderful turtles can exist for generations to come.

Isn’t it strange that spotted turtles, an endangered species, are no longer found within that Provincial Park where they once flourished – possibly one of the largest populations known, and yet just a few kilometres away, that newly discovered site is thriving – because it’s in a relatively undisturbed area.
Isn't it too bad that camping and going to the beach is more important than our wildlife?


Turtle Myths Busted
By Brooke Bays

While the old wives tell their tales, turtles continue to be misunderstood. Here are a few common turtle myths busted to help clear their reputation:

Myth #1: Turtles will give you Salmonella.
Salmonella bacteria are found naturally in the intestines of mammals, birds, reptiles, some pets, some humans and is also present in the environment. Salmonellosis, a serious infection of the gastrointestinal tract, can be spread by handling animals or even by human-human contact. It is very important to wash your hands thoroughly and practice good hygiene after handling animals or cleaning up after them. Pet turtles have a higher chance of transmitting salmonella because their food and waste accumulates in the stagnant water in their tank, whereas turtles in the wild live in a cleaner environment. While it is possible to get Salmonella from turtles, it is not turtle specific and is easily avoided.

Myth #2: Turtles eat all of the fish in our lakes and are causing a decline in sport fish populations.
Turtles consume small fish, some of which may be the young of some game fish. The impact on these fish populations is very minimal and has no more effect on populations than any other species that relies on them as a food source. Unfortunately, this common misconception has lead to unnecessary death or disregard of many turtles, usually Snappers who are only capable of preying on slow, non-game fish.

Myth #3: A pet turtle will only grow to the size of its enclosure.
Not true. Depending on the adult size of a species, a turtle does not simply stop growing if its tank is too small. Some species grow at slower rates than others and nutrition and habitat quality are a factor as well. Research the species before choosing an enclosure to ensure that it has plenty of room as a fully grown adult. Remember that it is illegal to keep native wildlife as pets in Ontario.

Have a myth you’d like to see in the next issue?
Email us at info [at] kawarthaturtle.org.


Understanding the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007
By Rebecca Dolson

Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) was passed into law in 2007, and came into force on June 30, 2008. Compared to previous legislation, this new law more than triples the number of species and habitats that are protected.

Of the 30,000 species that are native to Ontario, more than 180 are at risk. The Act defines an 'at risk' species as any native plant or animal that is in danger of disappearing from the province.

There are 5 levels of risk classification for species (Table 1). The ESA provides direction for governments, industry, resource users, landowners, and partners to ensure Ontario’s biological diversity. The Act focuses on the protection of species at risk, as well as their habitat requirements. In accordance with Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy, the ESA promotes a productive and resilient ecosystem, by protecting biodiversity. Specific objectives to protect species at risk are outlined in the Act, including:

1. Government regulation and permitting procedures for activities that would otherwise be prohibited under the Act;
   
2. Recognition of the importance of both species and habitat protection;
   
3. Recognition and incorporation of community and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge;
   
4. Encouragement and promotion of stewardship activities to help protect and recover species at risk; and
   
5. Greater accountability in government reporting requirements.

A major component of the ESA is to foster and support stewardship programs, including the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund. This fund was set up to encourage and support groups and individuals who voluntarily participate in stewardship activities to protect and recover species at risk and their habitats. There are also programs to support farmers and other landowners who voluntarily carry out selected practices that contribute to the protection and recovery of species at risk.

The ESA also recognizes Aboriginal and Treaty rights and encourages the incorporation of community and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge in species assessments. Persons having such knowledge are recognized as having relevant expertise.

How does the ESA 2007 protect species at risk?
Before a species is afforded protection under the Act, it must be listed as a species at risk on the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) list. A recognized independent scientific committee, the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO), is responsible for assessing and classifying species using the best scientific information available, based on factors that influence the species’ risk status. COSSARO’s recommendations regarding classification and status of species must be reflected on the SARO list within 90 days of the recommendation to the Minister of Natural Resources.

When a species is listed on the SARO list, the species and its habitat are protected under the Act, which prohibits the “killing, harming, harassing, possessing, buying, selling, trading, leasing or transporting species listed as threatened, endangered or extirpated”. The Act also provides habitat protection by prohibiting “damaging or destroying habitat of endangered and threatened species”. Importantly, the Act does more then simply dictate what one can and cannot do with a species at risk. The Act requires the preparation of recovery strategies for endangered and threatened species, and the preparation of management plans for species of special concern. Recovery strategies and management plans are science-based advice the government uses to recommend steps to recover the species at risk. Under the Act the government must provide the public with a response to the recovery strategy or management plan. The response must summarize and prioritize the recovery actions the government intends to implement.

What happens when someone contravenes the Act?
The Endangered Species Act came into force on June 30, 2008. If found guilty of being in violation of the Act, a first time individual offender can be fined up to a maximum of $250,000, and corporations up to $1 million. Depending on the offense, imprisonment is also a viable sentence. Under the Act, enforcement officers have the right to search, seize, make arrests and issue stop work orders if they find a violation of the Act.

How can I help ensure the success of the Endangered Species Act?
There are a vast number of stewardship opportunities for those willing and able to donate their time to protect our species at risk. While not an exhaustive list, contacting your local Conservation Authority, local chapter of the Ontario Federation of Angles and Hunters, Trout Unlimited Canada, and Ontario Streams, will provide you with useful information on local stewardship opportunities. If you are able to volunteer your time on a consistent basis there are longer term opportunities for stewardship including; Bird Studies Canada which operates the Marsh Monitoring Project and the Toronto Zoo which supports the Adopt a Pond program, among many others.

Not everyone has the time or ability to spend a day cleaning up shorelines or recording frog calls, but you can still help. Simply by reporting your observation of a species at risk to your local Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Species at Risk Biologist is a great help. Or, perhaps you can talk with friends and neighbors about the importance of protecting species at risk.

The Endangered Species Act and Turtles
There are 8 species of turtles in Ontario, of which 6 are included on the SARO List (Table 2). Both Wood and Spotted Turtles are listed as endangered species, indicating immediate efforts are necessary to protect these species from vanishing from Ontario. Turtles are typically long-lived, slow to reach age of maturity, and have relatively low juvenile survival. Life history characteristics such as these imply that turtles are not able to readily adapt to a change in their environment and are susceptible to many threats. In fact, most turtle threats are wide-spread and ongoing.

The major threats to turtle conservation include; habitat loss (e.g., shoreline alteration), road mortality of migrating reproductive adults, nest predation, and human collection for the pet trade. Due to unnaturally high levels of nest predators (skunks, raccoons, dogs) juvenile mortality can be high in some areas. However, the most immediate and manageable cause of turtle population decline, road mortality, can be addressed. Road mortality can be easily mitigated by drivers, if they’re made aware of turtle crossing time windows (May-July) and areas (a road dividing a marsh or wetland). The ESA provides protection for listed turtle species and their habitats, a positive step to conserve Ontario's turtles.

Sixteen turtle conservation projects have been funded through the MNR’s Species at Risk Stewardship Program from 2007 - 2009. Examples of these projects include: Outreach – educating the public about good and bad shoreline management; Monitoring – consolidating and updating turtle distribution and nesting information across the Greater Toronto Area; and Recovery – re-routing an ATV/snowmobile trail to avoid Wood turtle habitat.

Turtles and other species at risk may have a brighter future in Ontario due to the development and implementation of the ESA. Just as important, there is hope for these species, thanks to concerned citizens who value a healthy, native Ontario biodiversity.



Turtle Crossing Signs
Courtesy of Adopt-a-Pond

There may be no bigger threat to Ontario's turtles than that of busy roads and highways. Countless turtles every year are run over and killed on Ontario's roads. 6 of 8 turtle species are threatened, and those most often killed are females travelling to nesting areas. The loss of females in particular is devastating to turtle populations. Adopt a Pond provides many opportunities to become involved in conserving our turtles and informing others about the threats they face. If you live in an area with a high turtle road mortality you may be interested in a road awareness sign!

How do I 'sign up'?

• Identify a turtle road mortality hotspot (i.e. Take photos of the area and mortalities/injuries. Get neighbours involved in watching for turtles/turtle mortalities. Report your sightings to Ontario Turtle Tally)
• Obtain approval from the municipality or road authority where the sign will be installed and meet their sign location and installation specifications (Contact your local road authority in writing with your request).
  
• Or demonstrate that you will be installing the sign on private property adjacent to a road mortality hotspot
  
• Then contact the Adopt-A-Pond Coordinator at aap@torontozoo.ca or 416-392-5999
  For more information, and to view the Crossing Sign Gallery', visit Adopt-a-Pond’s website.

Legend's Babies
by Ali Meteer

A mature Map Turtle, who has been nick-named “Legend”, came to the KTTC with a shell fracture in the spring of last year. Shortly thereafter she delivered 5 eggs into her water enclosure. Four of her oblong eggs were placed an incubator and left - untouched until the babies broke through their shells in the fall.
They remained in the incubator for approximately a week, living off their yolk sac. Once all remnants of the yolk sac were gone, they were transferred to a large water/land enclosure where they have been happily living since.

They are all thriving, and are reportedly 'good little eaters' - preferring live food such as crickets to commercial pellet food. They are due to be released this spring at the site where their mother Legend was injured last year. Had Legend not been brought to the KTTC for treatment these four may have never hatched or had a chance to help perpetuate the dwindling population of Map turtles in Ontario.

Additional images from this issue available on Picasa:

Kawartha Turtle Times 2009 Spring