ILLEGAL TURTLE ACTIVITY

REMOVING TURTLES OR THEIR EGGS FROM THE WILD IS ILLEGAL!

The Ontario turtles are a species at risk. Under Ontario's Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act, there is an imposed fine of up to $25,000, penalties, and a possible term of imprisonment for removing turtles or their eggs from the wild, as well as possessing, selling, buying, harassing, harming, which includes, deliberately running over a turtle on the road. These are not just precautions but real consequences that can be enforced. To report any violations of this type, call the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry TIPS LINE at 1-877-TIPS-MNRF (847-7667) or Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-222-8477. A conservation officer reviews all calls to 1-877-TIPS-MNR. If your call requires action, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will follow up appropriately.

POACHING & ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE 

It's a harsh reality, but there are individuals and organized crime rings that profit from the illegal extraction of turtles, their eggs, and other species at risk. They're not just stealing from nature-they're stealing from all of us. Non-native turtle species are also smuggled into Canada, adding to the problem. It's hard to believe, but even people who live here are part of the problem, removing turtles from their natural habitat to keep as pets or sell. 

The reality is that although incidents of species at risk poaching end up in the news occasionally, this is happening routinely and is one of the significant factors that contribute to declining turtle populations. Turtles and eggs are illegally collected to supply them to people provincially throughout Canada and to overseas ethnic markets in such places as Europe, Russia, Asia, and China as exotic pets, food delicacies or luxury meat, trophies, to make trinkets from the shell, medicinal remedies,  or cultural niches that could involve the trade of living or dead turtles, tissues such as skins, bones, meat or other products. In some cultures, this is fueled by unscientific folly believing that because certain species of turtles live long lives by consuming these turtles, the properties responsible for a turtle living a long life will pass into the individual consuming them; there are unsubstantiated beliefs by some cultures that consuming turtle parts will cure cancer, other human ailments and act as an aphrodisiac. This is based on the rumor mill, media hype trends of thinking rooted in nonsense, and turtles pay the price for this. Asia continues to drive the continued poaching and trade of body parts. The loss of these turtles not only affects their population but also disrupts the delicate balance of our ecosystems, threatening the biodiversity of our wetlands. 

This is Turtle Country, and as such, it is where poachers and people dealing in the illegal wildlife trade come. These unscrupulous people are preying on turtles, purely looking to make money from a natural resource they have no regard for or concern about the catastrophic effect this is having on the turtle population and the way in which this affects the biodiversity of the wetlands.

POACHERS

''Poacher'' is a term used to identify any person illegally removing a wild animal from the wild or an organized group of individuals engaging in this type of activity.

Poachers, whether individuals or groups, make it their business to know about the wild animal(s) they target. They are typically well acquainted with the habitat and well-versed in tracking their target wild animal. In the case of turtles, they are not simply waiting around in the water and grabbing turtles with their hands. Some poachers lurk on social media looking for information leaks made available through unsuspecting nature enthusiasts. This is why posting photos of turtles and any species at risk with the precise location where they were observed should be avoided to protect species at risk's whereabouts.

Every one of us has a role to play in protecting our turtles. The more people locally and throughout Ontario who are aware of what to look for and help keep an eye out, the more difficult it becomes for poachers to conduct illegal and destructive activities. Your vigilance can make a difference.

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES

We have assembled the following information to outline some types of activity that, if observed, could indicate illegal activities involving turtles.

Suspicious Activities (Natural Areas)

Activities in natural areas that could be an indication of turtles or other species at risk of being illegally removed from the wild:

Off-trail activities.

The presence of traps.

Overnight parking.

People with no visible fishing gear use flashlights/spotlights on the water at night.

Persons near wetlands or waterways carry coolers, buckets, bins, or cloth bags.

A person putting a turtle in their vehicle. An injured turtle was reported to the OTCC (turtle hospital) as the exception.

Lines attached to sticks that have been left along a shoreline or other areas. Note: Some poachers set lines that can result in turtles being caught and left for days pierced by a hook until the poacher returns.

A person hooking a turtle on their fishing line and not returning it to the water.

Someone is combing through wetlands areas searching for something.

Note: If you see someone walking around in a wetland area, they could be a biologist or authorized research personnel conducting research and field studies, but there is a chance that they are not. If you see this activity, don't hesitate to ask the person what they are doing. If they are doing bonafide research and fieldwork, they will be glad to supply confirmation details and will be pleased to know you are watching for turtles.

Suspicious Activities (Other Settings)

Activities online or in public places that could be an indication of turtles or other species at risk of being illegally removed from the wild:

Posts on social media or the internet offering to sell, trade, or give away a native turtle (adult/juvenile/hatchling).

Posts on social media or the internet offering turtle eggs for sale.

Persons were observed exchanging plastic bins or boxes from a vehicle in a parking lot.

In accordance with the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, it is illegal to engage in such activities. These are activities that should be officially reported.

FINEABLE OFFENCE

Turtles native to Ontario and Canada are designated species at risk. They are protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Species At Risk Act (SARA), and Ontario Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act. This legislature protects turtles and other species at risk.

By law, it is illegal to remove any of the native turtle species and their eggs from the wild, keep wild turtles captive, harm turtles, breed, buy or sell turtles in Ontario.

This includes citizens who are ''NOT'' a licensed wildlife rehabilitator authorized by the Ministry of Natural Resources to remove a turtle from the wild to administer DIY first aid. All injured turtles found in Ontario 'should be reported and then transported to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC), home of Ontario's turtle hospital, at 705-741-5000.''

Even if you are ''NOT'' the person who removed a turtle (adult/juvenile/hatchling/eggs) from the wild, having a native turtle species in your possession someone gave you as a pet makes you guilty of engaging in illegal activities. As such, you could be subject to fines and penalties applicable under the Ontario Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act of up to $25,000.

Some exceptions regarding captivity exist but are regulated under provincial laws and require a permit issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. These include studying wild animals as part of scientific research or as part of approved educational programs or being treated by a licensed medical care provider authorized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

REPORTING ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES

If you observe illegal activities, harm, or abuse to turtles or any other animal in the wild, please make a note of as many details regarding the situation as you can: location, date, time, and very importantly, a license plate number if applicable, description of the people. The more details that can be provided when reported, the better. If you can take a photograph or video, even on a mobile phone, without putting yourself or anyone else in harm's way, this could be very helpful.

These illegal activities must be reported so they can be followed up on through official channels and the guilty parties held accountable. In addition to fines and penalties, individuals reported for poaching are thereafter identified as persons of interest. Not reporting individuals who engage in such activities may encourage them to resort to repeat incidents, causing species declines, serious injury, or death to turtles or other species.

If you report illegal or suspicious activities locally involving turtles, Think Turtle Conservation Initiative would appreciate being informed of this as well. 

NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN IDENTIFYING DETAILS

If unable to obtain identifying details of would-be poachers and their vehicle, an alternative tact to at least let them know their activities have been observed and they are under watch is a few short blasts on a whistle or shaking a bear bell. This may spook them and disrupt their activities, prompting them to leave. If poachers have been spotted, they will move on to another area. In this situation, though, if their activities are interrupted, it could prevent them from illegally obtaining turtles. If they move on to another location after that, there is the hope they will be spotted, and identifying details are more attainable.

Please be alert to all natural resources and species at risk for violations or suspicious activities. Make a note of the license plate and as many identifying details about the vehicle (if applicable) and person(s) involved as possible without putting yourself in jeopardy. For more information about natural resource violations and what constitutes reporting, visit the report crimes page on the Ontario Conservation Authorities Association website: http://ocoa.ca/conservation-officer-tips-line-1-877-tips-mnr/

ANIMAL ABUSE

If you witness any activity that harms, injures, or kills ''ANY'' domesticated or exotic animal species, please note as many details of the situation as possible. Please report concerning activities of this nature to the toll-free Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) at 1-833-9-ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625) from anywhere in Ontario. This call center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Thank you for looking out for Ontario's turtles, all other animals, and at-risk plants and reporting injustices that threaten their well-being and earthly presence. We must protect natural resources and species at risk with the recognition of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of preserving the balance of ecosystems for future generations.