DON'T RELOCATE TURTLES

DON'T RELOCATE TURTLES

Turtles are determined creatures, and if removed from their home range, they will unceasingly try to find their way back home. The reason for bringing this up is that relocating turtles comes up a lot. It stems from people with the best intentions of relocating turtles to their "version" of a better location. We love that folks care about the turtles, but when it comes to moving turtles, it is essential to move turtles across the road and to have a safe distance away from the road in the direction the turtle was headed. Relocating a turtle to a wetlands 10 km from where the turtle was situated or to a friend's pond without meaning to can turn a turtle's world upside down. Turtles are creatures of habit and do not cope well with being relocated. A turtle that has been relocated will be stressed and at such a disadvantage in a new environment. They must find food and water and negotiate in unfamiliar territory. Turtles unable to find their way home may stop eating, fall ill, and even die. 

We understand your desire to assist these remarkable creatures. Turtles, with a history spanning over 200 million years, are truly awe-inspiring. They possess a deep understanding of their environment, and their movements, both on land and in water, are purposeful and well-calculated.

REASONS FOR CONCERN

Where a turtle is located is because it meets the habitat needs of that turtle and has a role in supporting its life cycle and the history that goes along with that. Turtles have several different habitats within their home range. This includes:

Overwintering habitat (which can be very specific).

Nesting habitat.

Active season habitat (feeding and breeding).

Moving a turtle to a location of our choice can significantly impact the turtle and its resident population.

Every turtle carries a signature bacteria specific to the water body they inhabited until they were moved. A turtle introduced into a different water body can be a host or vector for pathogens, parasites, or diseases (like any plant or animal). This could upset the ecosystem balance associated with that water body and affect the aquatic wildlife, plants (biotic/abiotic), micro-organisms in that body of water, and us. If compromised, a body of water's health can result in recreational water illnesses such as giardiasis (intestinal infection) or cryptosporidiosis (diarrheal disease) and waterborne parasites that affect people (swimmers itch) and beloved pets. Other considerations when relocating a turtle include the effect on the gene pool and the risk of spreading ranavirus between ecosystems, should this be a factor. 

The hazards of introducing pathogens, parasites, and disease into an otherwise healthy ecosystem are of such a concern that the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, home of Ontario's Turtle Hospital, requests the 'point of origin' when a turtle is admitted to the OTCC. The 'point of origin' refers to where the turtle was found. This information is crucial as it helps us understand the turtle's natural habitat and ensures it can be released back into its original environment. When a turtle is treated, recovered, and deemed fit to be released back into the wild, it will be released at its original origin. If, for some reason, the point of origin is not supplied, the OTCC will not risk releasing the turtles into another water body as a precaution, and that isn't fair to a healthy turtle that, after that, may end up a teaching turtle. 

HELPING A TURTLE

Most people know not to plunk a turtle on or near the road shoulder after moving it off the road but to walk it a few steps further to ensure it is safely away from the road. 

The Endangered Species Act, 2007 offers additional protection. Under this legislation, turtles are recognized as species at risk, and it is illegal to harm, harass, or capture them without the proper authorization. These laws are not meant to discourage people from helping turtles—they are in place to ensure that help is given in a way that truly supports turtle conservation.

To support these legal protections, The Ontario Species at Risk Handling Manual was developed. This manual provides clear guidance on how to properly handle turtles when handling is permitted. According to the manual, turtles should not be moved more than 125 metres from where they are found. In cases where a move of more than 250 metres is absolutely necessary, direction must be sought from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

To put this distance into perspective, it takes most people only one to two minutes to walk 125 metres. If you find yourself walking farther than that, you are likely exceeding the permitted distance. While it might feel helpful to take a turtle to a quieter pond or a more “natural” area, this well-meaning act could harm the turtle and put you at risk of a fine.

PUTTING A TURTLE IN YOUR VEHICLE

There are only a few situations where placing a turtle in a vehicle is allowed. If the turtle is injured and needs medical attention, it is acceptable to transport it to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC), home to Ontario’s turtle hospital. If you have contacted the OTCC and are temporarily caring for the turtle until a volunteer from their Turtle Taxi network arrives, that is also permitted. In these cases, you are acting as a temporary caregiver to ensure the turtle gets the care it needs.

Researchers, wildlife professionals, and authorized conservation groups who have permits from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks may also transport turtles as part of their work. These individuals follow strict handling protocols and are trained to ensure the turtle’s safety and well-being.

If you’re unsure whether moving a turtle is okay, it’s always best to ask. We often hear from people who want to do the right thing but are unsure of what that is. Some examples of what not to do include picking up a turtle on a back road and taking it to a wetland 10 kilometres away, moving a nesting turtle from your property to a conservation area, or taking a hatchling home to release later in a backyard pond. These actions may seem caring, but they are not safe or legal and may lead to harm for the turtle.

Turtles in Ontario face many threats, and they do need our help—but that help must be given in a way that supports their survival and follows the laws in place to protect them. If you ever have questions about how to help, or just want to talk something through, feel free to contact Think Turtle at 647-606-9537. We’re happy to help.

Thank you for being a friend to the turtles and helping protect Ontario's at-risk species and their habitat.