The Nature Conservancy of Canada understands if you feel a bit like a turtle yourself just rejoining the world after the latest lockdown, but unlike turtles, you hopefully are not taking your life into your own hands.
Thousands of turtles across Ontario are braving the busy roads to find mates and get to their nesting grounds, and the conservancy is warning drivers to watch out for them.
Like other reptiles, turtles are cold-blooded, so they like basking on gravel and sandy road shoulders. While their shell protects them from predators, it is no match for a vehicle, and each death has a cascading effect on the entire species.
In Ontario, all eight turtle species are at risk, and the Blanding Turtle is endangered. They are often 25-years-old before they mate, and out of 100 eggs, only two may survive to adulthood. The loss of one adult turtle can have an impact for decades. Studies show a loss of just 5 per cent can put the entire population in decline.
The conservancy urges drivers to slow down when they see a turtle by the side of the road. Make sure you can safely steer around it if it is midway across. If you need to help a turtle cross, it has released a video to show you how to safely. Using a stick or your feet is not recommended because it can stress the turtle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boTS3l5UN3I&t=3s
"Turtles are not just adorable, they're an important part of wetland ecosystems," said Program Director Kristyn Ferguson. "They play the role of the wetland janitor by helping keep wetlands clean and healthy by eating dead plants, insects, and animals."