REPORT TURTLE SIGHTINGS

TURTLE SIGHTINGS & ENCOUNTERS

Officially reporting any adult, juvenile, or hatchling turtle sightings, dead or alive, is very important! This enables conservation agencies and wildlife conservation organizations involved in species-at-risk studies to identify and better understand the distribution of the various turtle species and the factors that have an effect on their activities. With access to this type of data and research, they can identify areas that would most benefit from the installation of permanent mitigation measures such as underpasses and fencing, as well as assess the suitability of pre-existing culverts that could be re-worked to serve as an effective mitigation site that enables turtles and other wildlife to travel under the road instead of on it in harm's way. This data also helps convince the respective governments to implement mitigation measures such as exclusion fencing, eco passages, and alternate nesting sites.

Reporting turtle sightings is a straightforward and user-friendly process. If you still need to report turtle sightings, please check out the various citizen science programs listed below alphabetically to acquaint yourself with the kind of information you will need to supply. Photo documentation is always recommended to substantiate each sighting and the type of turtle. Note: If taking a photo of a turtle you will be assisting across a road, please do so in a safe manner by taking a photo of the turtle 'after' you have moved the turtle off the road, and you are both safely as far over on the shoulder as possible and out of harm's way. Do not risk your safety or motorists for a photo if there are any concerns. Reporting sightings is free, and each program is particularly user-friendly, making the process comfortable and easy for you. 

iNaturalist: This Canada-wide citizen science program is a community-based tool. Your observations will be vetted by researchers, experts, and other citizen scientists. Submit your species at risk observations to iNaturalist by clicking the 'add observations button' on the project home page. https://www.inaturalist.org/

Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC): Submit your species at risk observations to the 'NHIC' project at  https://www.ontario.ca/page/report-rare-species-animals-and-plants

To report a single sighting, use the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) Observation Reporting Form at https://engage.ontario.ca/en/content/natural-heritage-information-centre-nhic-observation-reporting-form. If you prefer to compile your records in a spreadsheet, email it to the Natural Heritage Information Centre. 

Ontario Turtle Tally: This is a fun, easy turtle monitoring project for people of all ages through the Toronto Zoo's Adopt-A-Pond Wetlands Conservation Program. It's a great activity for schools, families, cottagers, and community and naturalist groups across the province. Report your turtle sightings by entering your observations into the online database. The purpose is to collect, record, and store location and species information on Ontario turtles, including at-risk species. https://report.adoptapond.ca/

Road Warrior Program: Eco-Kare International has launched the Road Warrior Program. Eco-Kare translates the data submitted for decision-makers to aid in planning, designing, and monitoring solutions that reduce the negative impacts of roads on wildlife.   

BE A ROAD WARRIOR! They need citizen scientists across Ontario to submit observations to iNaturalist Wildlife On Roads! 

Their website includes a How to be a Road Warrior video: https://eco-kare.com/road-worrior/. You can Sign up on their website to receive monthly/quarterly ROAD WARRIOR newsletters and training video updates, and in the short term, indicate how we can help you, e.g., technical help, where to collect data, workshops, presentations, etc.

Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA): There is a new, quick way to report sightings of turtles and snakes in southwestern Ontario. Just submit a UTRCA Turtle Reporting Form online (see attached link) to report a turtle nest with eggs, a turtle nest without visible eggs, and other concerns regarding turtle health and safety. in southwestern Ontario. Your report will go directly to Scott Gillingwater, Species at Risk Biologist with the UTRCA and the Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR) team. UTRCA Turtle Reporting Form

https://thamesriver.on.ca/report-turtle-and-snake-sightings-online/

Turtle Guardians :The Turtle Guardians citizen science and recovery program is designed with kids in mind, and adults will enjoy these features equally. By participating in this program, you can report one of the turtle sightings or multiple sightings through their online Sighting Report Form or through your mobile device to track how many turtles you helped. Pass the turtle ID test to get your Turtle Guardians card. This program not only allows you to contribute to turtle conservation efforts but also provides a fun and educational experience for participants. https://www.turtleguardians.com/sighting-report-form/

TURTLES ADMITTED TO TURTLE HOSPITAL

A point to mention that some people may not be aware of is that if you find an injured turtle and the turtle is admitted to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC), you 'do not need to report that turtle' to a citizen science programs such as iNaturalist, Ontario Turtle Tally, NHIC or Turtle Guardians. The OTCC officially reports every turtle admitted to the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC). The OTCC plays a crucial role in turtle conservation by providing medical care to injured turtles and reporting their admissions to the NHIC. If you report the turtle encounter/sighting, this would be a duplicate reported sighting and contribute to skewing data for the year and regions where turtles are located.

Turtle encounters/sightings reported to the NHIC are then made available to government agencies, conservation organizations, and researchers for educational and substantiating purposes for mitigation projects, environmental improvement, etc. Many agencies and researchers use the provincial record to plan, protect, and study Ontario's natural heritage. The information helps natural resources management, conservation decisions in Ontario, and biodiversity conservation strategies for the Great Lakes region.

Note: To make the most of all your turtle encounters, including turtles admitted to OTCC, please share this information with local conservation organizations involved in nest protection, interim mitigation measures such as awareness signage, and permanent mitigation measures like assessing and implementing underpasses. Be sure the organization is made aware that the information you are sharing will be officially reported by the OTCC.

If you have any questions or concerns about a turtle or nest, please phone or text Think Turtle Conservation Initiative at 647-606-9537 when you are with the turtle or nest. For additional information about helping turtles, we have a variety of platforms for you to choose from—check out our other web pages at www.thinkturtle.ca, follow us on Facebook, or read our WordPress Blog posts at https://thinkturtleconservationinitiative.wordpress.com.  

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