No Signs To Warn Motorists Of Reptile's Presence

NORTHUMBERLAND -- Residents of Cavan Road in Bewdley are concerned for the safety of the snapping turtles that nest on their street.

Cavan Road is situated in the Oak Ridges Moraine and is an officially protected wetland. Snapping turtles are one of the many species of wildlife that make their homes in the area, and this is the time of year when the females seek out sandy or gravelly areas to make their nests in. The turtles often make use of the gravel shoulders along roadways for this purpose, and every year such nests can be spotted on the sides of Cavan Road. They have even become a yearly topic of conversation for the residents of the area, according to one such man, Paul Clark.

"We always talk about how many turtles we have," he said. "It's quite a sight."

But there is obvious danger for the turtles and their young in choosing a spot so close to the roadway. The female turtles use their long term memory to return to the same nesting spot each year, regardless of the danger. Already this year, turtles have been crushed by passing vehicles during the nesting process. Just as damaging is when they are startled during the egg laying process, which leads to them becoming 'egg bound', a fatal condition that leaves them unable to pass the eggs inside of them.

The mortality rate of the snapping turtles, which are designated as a 'special concern species' under Ontario's Endangered Species Act of 2007, has motivated the residents of the street to try and help. Mr. Clark himself has been in contact with the Ministry of Natural Resources in the hopes of having signs placed on the road which will inform drivers of the turtles' presence. Accidents are inevitable, but if drivers are looking out for the turtles, they are less likely to happen.

The residents are also speaking out against a proposed ATV route that would include their stretch of Cavan Road, believing the presence of such vehicles would only heighten the danger for the beleaguered turtles.

The Cavan Street residents don't want to shut their area off to visitors, according to Mr. Clark, who points out that seeing the turtles could be an interesting tourism opportunity for some. They just want their visitors to keep an eye out for the animals and to show them the proper respect.

If the snapping turtles and their young are to survive, they will need that respect.

Source: Northumberland News