2023 Turtle Conservation Project statistics

Our 2023 turtle conservation project statistics are finalized.

Blanding's turtles.
• Due to their Endangered status, all Blanding's turtle eggs were collected.
• CWF collected 80 eggs from 7 nests that were protected in the Carp Hills and Dunrobin areas from 10 June through 26 June by FCH monitors and neighbourhood champions.
• CWF incubated the 80 eggs at their facility in Kanata.
• 74 eggs successfully hatched (93% success).
• From 13 August to 25 August we released the 74 hatchlings in ponds close to their original nest location.
• 15 Blanding's turtles were found dead on roads in the Carp Hills and Dunrobin areas in June.

• 7 of these were females containing unlaid eggs.
• 13 of the eggs were considered viable and sent to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre in Peterborough for incubation. The OTCC will raise the hatchlings from these eggs for one year. They will be released near their original nest location in summer 2024.

Snapping turtles.
• Collected eggs.
o CWF collected 37 eggs from 2 nests that were protected in the Carp Hills and Carp River areas on 8 June and 13 June by FCH monitors and neighbourhood champions.
o CWF incubated the 37 eggs at their facility in Kanata.
o 25 eggs successfully hatched.
o On 21 August we released the 25 hatchlings into a pond or the Carp River close to their original nest location.
• Protected nests.
o 17 nest protectors were placed in the Carp Hills, Carp River, and Dunrobin areass from 6 June to 26 June. The protectors were left on the nests for the eggs to incubate naturally.
o We have data from 16 protected nests:

• We excavated the protected nests in September through 2 November to determine the success rate.
• 14 nests had evidence of eggs. 364 eggs were protected. Of these, 259 successfully hatched (71% success).
• Of the 259 that successfully hatched, there were 27 live hatchlings found still in the nests. The hatchlings were released near their nest location.
• There were 6 dead hatchlings found still in the nests.
• 1 protector looked like it had been moved. No nest found. Status of original nest location unknown.
• 1 protector was either hit by a car or vandalized. No nest found.
• 1 small, very young Snapping turtle was found dead on the road in June.
• 15 viable eggs from a predated nest were sent to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre in Peterborough for incubation. The OTCC will raise the hatchlings from these eggs for one year. They will be released near their original nest location in summer 2024.

Many thanks to our Turtle Monitors (Rachel, Ian, Jennifer, and Carole) who drove roads morning, evening, and in the dark of night to find turtles who needed help. Thanks to our Turtle Champions (Helen, Jeff, John, Bernard) for their work mobilizing their neighbours to protect turtles. Heartfelt gratitude to Dave Seburn and staff at the Canadian Wildlife Federation for their turtle conservation work in the Ottawa and surrounding areas. And a big thanks to the Bell family for their donation that made this project possible. You are making a difference.

Posted on October 31, 2023 10:59 AM by jlmason