The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) is sheltering some endangered turtles before releasing them into the Sydenham River.
It's part of the SCRCA's recovery efforts for the Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle, a species that had an estimated population size of 1,000 mature individuals in Canada in 2016.
SCRCA Watershed Biologist Kelli Smith said the population continues to decline which is raising concerns for the future sustainability of these populations and the health of the area watershed.
"[Our] recovery efforts have included the creation of suitable nesting habitats, best management practices like tree planting and erosion protection, wetland creation and a captive hatch and release program."
Smith said the hatch and release program rescues nests that are at an imminent threat of loss. She said they're working in partnership with Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority to incubate the eggs.
In 2021, SCRCA helped rescue about 2,500 eggs of various species, the majority being Spiny Softshell Turtles.
Smith said local residents can help with recovery efforts and that SCRCA staff have been working with landowners and partners to implement rural and agricultural best management practices.
"In the form of erosion control projects, tree planting and wetland creation to keep soil and nutrients on the ground where they are needed and out of the river."
Smith said there's a real opportunity to protect and rebuild the habitat that these turtles need to survive.
In 1992, the Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle was designated as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. In 2016, the designation was changed to endangered with the turtle facing imminent threat of extinction.
Smith said it's the only softshell turtle in Ontario. She also said the Sydenham River has more species diversity than any other fresh water system in Canada and that species that live in the area don't live anywhere else in the country.
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With files from Stephanie Chaves