Why does the turtle cross the road? Because, like the chicken, it wants to get to the other side. However, it is much, much slower than the chicken and often doesn’t make it there. What can we do to change the ending to this story, at least in the Trent University neighbourhood?
There are eight species of turtles native to Ontario. These are the Snapping Turtle, Stinkpot Turtle, Midland Painted Turtle, Northern Map Turtle, Blanding’s Turtle, Wood Turtle, Spotted Turtle, and Spiny Softshell. Seven of these species are listed as of special concern, threatened, or endangered.
Humans play a key role in the death or survival of turtles and this brings me to the reason for this commentary. Last year, during my daily commute to Trent University, I noticed many dead turtles along University Road. These deaths are disheartening considering that even the loss of a few adults could result in the eventual loss of the local population.
Two reasons why turtles are particularly at risk are that not only do they move slowly, but they also reproduce slowly. Of the eight species listed above, most will not breed before they are 10 years old and some may not breed until closer to 20 years old. Furthermore, some may go longer than a year between nests. The future of turtles relies on adult survival.
Female turtles traveling to nest areas and turtles moving among wetlands are particularly at risk from being killed on roads. Thus, I would like to propose that as a community we work together to help reduce turtle mortality in our area through a few relatively quick and easy steps.
My first suggestion is to have road signs erected at the edges of the University Road wetland to increase public awareness of the turtles’ crossing. This zone still has a 50 km/h speed limit, but the repaving in 2011 has only served to increase (almost double) the speed at which cars now travel this road. Which brings me to a second suggestion of what Trent students can do to help: please slow down on this section of University Road and encourage other members of the community to do so as well.
However, signs and cautious speeds will still not be that helpful in preventing hatchling deaths, as they are small and hard to see. Therefore, I also suggest constructing seasonal turtle barriers along the road where turtles are likely to cross. These types of fences can be found along Highway 60 in Algonquin Provincial Park.
I would also like to mention another option, which may not be as easily implemented, but would also be useful. This would be to construct road underpasses using large diameter culverts. This technique has been found to be effective for decreasing road turtle mortality in Carver, Massachusetts.
Although I am not affiliated with either the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre (http://kawarthaturtle.org) or the Toronto Zoo (http://www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond/turtletally.asp), both organizations have websites that provide additional information on how local turtles can be helped.
I hope this article results in increased awareness and interest in helping our local turtle populations. I also hope this letter plays a part in generating interest and action by the Trent community and our local municipality so that at least the first three suggestions can be put into action in the near future.