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All species of turtles found in Quebec are at risk and several die each year from being crushed on roads in the province that cross or border the habitats of these reptiles. Failing to obtain more ambitious measures to protect these reptiles, the Nature Conservancy of Canada asks motorists to be vigilant to reduce the risks.
Director of the Western Quebec Program for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), Caroline Gagné points out that “road kills” of turtles in Quebec represent a very real threat for the eight species, which are all federally listed. species at risk. The spiny softshell turtle, the Blanding’s turtle and the spotted turtle are even listed as “endangered”.
“During the laying period, which begins soon, the females look for a suitable site to bury their eggs. They can sometimes cross a road or decide to lay on the side of a road if they find a suitable substrate, such as fine sand or gravel,” she explains.
The turtles therefore find themselves at risk of being run over by a vehicle, which kills the individual and represents a dangerous drain on the future of the species. “Each turtle that dies in a road collision causes a huge chain reaction for its entire species, as it can take up to 25 years to reproduce. The survival rate of turtle eggs is very low and only 2% of turtles will reach adulthood. Losing a single adult means 20 years of delay for the development of a population,” argues Francisco Retamal Diaz, project coordinator at CNC.
Year after year, the organization receives observation forms completed online by citizens who report injured or dead reptiles. Last year, 1344 forms were submitted, for a total of 1782 turtles observed, of which 5.7% died on the road. “By adding the injured turtles, we find that nearly 7% of the turtles were directly affected by the problem of road mortality”, specifies CNC. This represents at least 125 individuals.
Vigilance
In this context, Mr.me Gagné suggests that motorists be vigilant when driving on roads that run alongside or cross wetlands, for example. “When possible and safe, we can slow down and observe, to see if there is a turtle crossing. It’s pretty easy to spot them, because they’re pretty slow. » Estrie and Montérégie are the two regions with the most observations, followed by the Laurentians and Outaouais.
If a turtle is on the road and it is safe to stop, NCC invites citizens to help the animal cross. For a turtle that hides its head in its shell, which is the case for some commonly observed species (Blanding’s turtle, painted turtle or map turtle), “you just have to lift it with both hands, like holding a hamburger, supporting belly and back, then transporting her to the other side of the road, ideally in the direction she was already heading,” explains Caroline Gagné.
For a snapping turtle, sometimes very large, with a heavy and spiny tail and looking like a dinosaur, the technique is different. As its bite can be dangerous, NCC recommends taking it from the back of its shell, on either side of its tail, then running it across the road allowing it to lean on its front legs, like a ‘a wheelbarrow. You can also help yourself by slipping it on an object found in your vehicle, such as a car mat or a snow shovel, which will be easier to move, specifies the organization.
To reduce the long-term risk of road fatalities, Mme Gagné estimates that it would be necessary to set up wildlife crossings in the sectors where the presence of turtles has been documented. Combined with detour fencing that directs turtles towards the passages, these infrastructures would substantially reduce deaths and risks for the various species. The installation of signs in certain sectors, as is done for white-tailed deer, could also be very useful.
Turtles are also threatened by habitat destruction. This is the case, for example, in the greater Montreal region. The Ecomuseum zoo also leads research and protection projects, particularly for the wood turtle and the map turtle. For the latter, a project has notably made it possible to identify important habitats to be protected in the Lac des Deux Montagnes, but also to create a spawning site, explains the general manager, David Rodrigue.