Watch your step: Toronto's tiny turtles are on the move
Parkgoers are reminded to look down for tiny, vulnerable loonie-sized turtles throughout Toronto
The next time you're out scouting for the perfect cherry blossom selfie spot, remember to look down. You might inadvertently end the life of an adorable and vulnerable baby turtle.
Midland painted turtle hatchlings overwinter in their nests and emerge around the time of the cherry blossom season, which typically occurs in late April to early May in southern Ontario. Unfortunately, many hatchlings are accidentally crushed by people as they leave their nests on land to reach the water.
"It's really hard to know how many hatchlings have been killed during the cherry blossom season, because if they get stepped on in the grass, it's difficult to spot them,” said Carolynne Crawley, co-founder of Turtle Protectors (Mishiikenh Gizhaasowin), in an interview with The Weather Network.
This Indigenous- and volunteer-led collective has been protecting turtles in seven parks across the city of Toronto since 2022.
If you spot a tiny hatchling, you can call the Turtle Protectors hotline. A volunteer will arrive, and assist that hatchling to get safely to water. (Turtle Protectors)
“I know we definitely saw five in the past few days," Crawley added. "Another three were injured and were taken to the Toronto Wildlife Centre for care. We don't know if those ones have survived yet. We were able to assist about 53 hatchlings to get safely to water.”
RELATED: What to do if you spot a turtle on the road
Turtle Protectors aim to spread awareness about midland painted turtle hatchlings—many of which emerge at High Park right when cherry blossom season draws peak foot traffic.
Turtle Protectors say awareness is improving, but they’re calling for the city to do more— including better signage, education, and possibly even restricting access to known nesting areas during peak times. (Image: Toronto High Park cherry blossoms taken by Lauren O'Neil/The Weather Network)
The group says awareness is improving, but they’re calling for the city to do more — including better signage, education, and possibly even restricting access to known nesting areas during peak times.
If you spot a turtle on a road, it is advised to call the Turtle Protectors hotline immediately and consider helping her/him across in the direction that it is heading only if it is safe to do so. (Image: Toronto Wildlife Centre/provided)
“Unfortunately, after our first year of protecting these turtles, we were finding many of them deceased because they're only the size of a loonie, and everybody's looking up at the beautiful blossoms and aren't even aware that these tiny beings are trying to navigate through thousands of people that are coming to this park to try to make their way to water.”
If you spot a hatchling, call the Turtle Protectors. A volunteer will arrive to safely assist the turtle to the water. If possible, it is advised to stay with the turtle until a volunteer arrives, maintaining a respectful distance of 20 to 30 feet.
Those looking to help can contact the Turtle Protectors and join the team as a volunteer. Citizens can also make a difference by contacting elected officials to demand better protections for wildlife.
Learn more about this vital program by watching the video that leads this article.
(Header image courtesy of Turtle Protectors)