Wellington Turtle Guardians ERIN

06/09/2026

🐢⚠️ ATTENTION ERIN DRIVERS: Let’s give our local turtles a "brake"! ⚠️🐢

​Right now, we are in the absolute peak of turtle nesting season here in Erin and across Wellington County. Because our beautiful town is filled with incredible wetlands, rivers, and forests, our slow-moving neighbors are constantly crossing local roads to find mates or lay their eggs in the soft gravel shoulders.

​Road mortality is one of the single biggest threats facing Ontario's turtles. All 8 of our native species are now considered species at risk. Because turtles take up to 20 years to reach adulthood, losing just one or two breeding adults can devastate a local population for decades.

​They don’t know what a car is, but we do. Here is how we can protect them:

​🚗 1. Drive Cautiously & Scan the Roads
Slow down, especially when driving near wetlands, ponds, or low-lying wooded areas. From a distance, a turtle on the asphalt often looks just like a dark oil slick, a small rock, or a stray piece of tire.

​✋ 2. Help Them Cross (Safely!)
If you see a turtle crossing and it is entirely safe for you to pull over:
​Always move them in the direction they were already heading. If you turn them around, they will just try to cross again.
​For standard turtles (like Painted turtles), pick them up gently with both hands supporting the top and bottom of their shell.
​For Snapping turtles, NEVER pick them up by the tail (this damages their spine). Keep your hands far away from their front half. You can carefully coax them across using a shovel or car mat, or carefully grip the very back of their shell near their hind legs if you are comfortable.

​🏥 3. Save the Hotline Number
If you find an injured turtle anywhere in Wellington County, do not assume it's too late. Their shells can often be repaired, and pregnant females can still have their eggs saved!

​Call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) immediately at 705-741-5000. They have a wonderful network of volunteer "Turtle Taxis" who can help transport the turtle to their hospital.

​Let's keep Erin's wildlife safe this summer. Share this post to spread the word! 👇
​

You’re driving down a back-country road and suddenly there’s a turtle on the road. What do you do? Read on to learn how to move a turtle across the road. Most of the species of freshwater turtles that live in Canada live in lakes or wetlands — like marshes and swamps. If the turtles remained i...

06/08/2026

Did you know that about half of the turtles hit by cars in Ontario are adult females on their way to lay eggs? 🥺 Losing a single breeding female can devastate local populations because it takes turtles up to 20 to 60 years to successfully replace themselves in the wild!

When on the road, look out for turtles trying to cross busy roads. They could be small, like the Midland Painted Turtle or large, like the Snapping turtle.

For non-snapping turtles, pick them up safely with two hands on either side of their shell (like holding a hamburger) and carry them straight across the road. NEVER drag them by their tails, as this can severely injure their spine.

Small acts can have an enormous impact on protecting our turtles, all of which have a Special Concern status. You can make a difference! 🐢

To volunteer, please send us a DM or join our Wellington County Turtle Guardians ERIN Chapter group. 💚

06/07/2026

Slow down if you see me crossing!

06/07/2026

It is the first week of June, which means turtle nesting season is officially peaking in Erin! Female turtles are leaving their wetland homes and travelling overland to find the perfect sunny spot to dig their nests and lay eggs.

You’ll likely spot turtles moving across lawns, through fields, and—most dangerously—crossing local roads.

Keep your eyes peeled while driving, especially near wetlands, rivers, and ponds. If you see a turtle on the road and it is safe for you to pull over, help her cross! Always move her in the direction she was already heading.

05/22/2026

A huge thank you to Glenn and the SNOW BROTHERS CONTRACTING family for going out of their way to protect turtle nests found in their gravel piles.

By sectioning off these areas and giving the eggs a chance to hatch safely, they’ve shown what real community care and wildlife stewardship look like.

Small acts like this can make a big difference for Ontario’s turtles, many of whom face serious challenges from habitat loss, road mortality, and low hatchling survival.

Thank you, Glenn, for choosing kindness, patience, and protection. And thank you to our own Liz for her dedication 🐢💚

05/15/2026

🐢 Snapping Turtle Myths: Fact vs. Fiction – it matters!

When we see turtles as "scary", we stop seeing them as a species in need of our help. Misinformation creates a culture of fear that leads to the needless killing of these animals and speeds up their decline.

In reality, Snappers are a "Special Concern" species and a vital part of our local environment. By replacing myths with facts, we can TURN FEAR INTO PROTECTION and ensure they remain a part of our ecosystem for generations to come. 🐢💚

With nesting season around the corner, you might spot snappers turtles crossing the roads or looking for loose sand, soil or gravel spots in town. Snappers are often misunderstood, so let's clear up the biggest myths before you head out on the trails!

❌ Myth 1: They can bite your finger off.
✅ Fact: While they have a powerful beak and you definitely shouldn’t put your hands near their mouth, the "bone-snapping" stories are (mostly) myths. There aren't any verified reports of a snapper severing someones finger, but they can cause harm if you aren't careful. Their main goal is eating aquatic plants, insects, and dead fish - not people fingers. :)

❌ Myth 2: They are aggressive.
✅ Fact: Snappers are actually quite shy! On land, they feel vulnerable because they can’t fully retract into their shells like other turtles (their lower shell is too small). Any "snap" is a defensive warning to stay back. If you give them space, they’ll happily go about their business.

❌ Myth 3: They can’t feel their shell / They can leave their shell.
✅ Fact: Snappers can feel light touch, pressure and pain through their shells, which have nerve endings and blood vessels. A crack in the shell can feel like a broken bone to us.
They can’t leave their shells, which is attached to their spine and ribs. Their tail is also attached to their spine, which is why we NEVER pick up a turtle by their tail.

❌ Myth 4: They are a pest and a threat to local fish and duck populations.
✅ Fact: Actually, snappers are the "janitors" of our local ponds and rivers! They mostly scavenge for dead organic matter, which keeps the water clean and healthy for everyone else. They are a vital part of the Erin ecosystem.

📉 The Hard Truth: Did you know that only 1 in 1,000 to 1,500 snapping turtle eggs actually survive to reach adulthood? To make matters worse, snappers only begin laying eggs once they reach 15 – 20 years of age! Every adult turtle we save on our roads makes a massive difference for the future of the species.

🐢 Spotted a turtle in trouble? Keep a safe distance, keep pets on a leash, and help them cross the road (only if it's safe to do so!)

You can safely help a snapper cross the road (always in the direction they were already heading!) by using the "shovel method" or carefully sliding them across on a car mat. Just never pick them up by the tail—it can cause permanent spinal damage.

Follow us to learn more about how to protect our local turtles.

Snapping turtles need our help. YOU can make a difference! Spread the word 😊

05/13/2026

Nature is extraordinary, as are turtles. They go through so much to survive. Let's do what we can to help them reach adulthood:
• Slow down in turtle crossing areas (near wetlands)
• Help them to cross road in direction they were heading (only if safe to do so)

Every turtle that makes it to adulthood ensures the survival of this species that is federally listed as Special Concern due to road mortality and habitat loss.

You can make a difference! 💚🐢

05/09/2026

TURTLES ARE ON THE MOVE! 🐢🚕

​Our shelled neighbours in Erin and Wellington County are heading out to find food and nesting spots. Do you know what to do if you find one on the road, an injured turtle, or a nest in a risky spot?

​Safety is priority #1! ⚠️

​We’ve put together a complete guide on who to call and how to help. Since there is so much vital info, please check the first few comments below for the full breakdown and emergency contact numbers. 👇

​Save this post so you have these numbers ready when you’re out and about! Our turtles thank you for being a friend 💚

​ WildlifeConservation TownOfErin