The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority's Annual Turtle Hatchling Release Event Takes Place On August 29th
by Bob Montgomery
The Huron Stewardship Council and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority are joining with other community partners to host the return of the annual Turtle Hatchling Release Event. The event started in 2016, with a couple of virtual events during the pandemic, and has become one of ABCA's most popular events. It's held at Morrison Dam Conservation Area, at 71108 Morrison Line, east of Exeter, and is held this year on Thursday, August 29th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and people are welcome to drop in at any time during the event. Donations are encouraged and proceeds support turtle conservation in Ontario.
ABCA Healthy Watersheds Technician Hope Brock says turtles are important links in food webs and provide essential services. Snapping turtles, for example, help to control aquatic vegetation and clean creeks and wetlands by eating algae and dead and decaying fish and other organisms. They also cycle nutrients and spread seeds which benefit other organisms.
ABCA Water Quality Technician Cristen Watt says the biggest threat to turtles is loss of habitat, and the loss of wetlands is part of that. Another factor is the number of roads that now run through their habitat which make it extremely dangerous for them if they're crossing one of those roads to lay their eggs. They can be difficult for motorists to see sometimes and they don't move fast enough to get out of the way, so they're counting on a little help from us. Watt says it's not always practical to stop and help them across the road, but if it can be done, she has a few tips. Most of the smaller turtles can be picked up by gripping them with one hand on each side of their shell. She adds, it's important to take them in the direction they were going. Chances are if they're put back on the side of the road they just came from, they'll just try to cross the road again.
She does have some advice for anyone picking up a larger turtle, like a Snapping Turtle. They are not able to pull their whole body into their shell, so instead they have long necks which allow them to turn around and bite some one who hasn't placed their hands far enough back to be out of range. She suggests picking up larger turtles with your hands on the rear two-thirds of their sell so that they can't reach you to bite you.
The Hatchling Release event includes live reptiles on display, family-friendly activities, educational displays and more. There is merchandise for sale as well. To reserve a spot at the event, visit this Eventbrite link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-turtle-hatchling-release-in-exeter-tickets-949218878217).
Photo courtesy of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
