Jen Wilkinson, FEO, May 14, 2026, Volume 7, Issue 18

With the arrival of Spring across Fort Erie and the Niagara region, a quiet yet urgent migration is underway. Turtles, some of Ontario’s oldest and most vulnerable wildlife, are leaving wetlands, marshes and waterways in search of nesting sites. For many, the journey means crossing busy roads, making it the most dangerous time of year.

Southern Ontario is home to the greatest diversity of turtles in Canada, with eight species found throughout the province. In Niagara, residents are most likely to encounter snapping turtles, midland painted turtles, northern map turtles and the globally endangered Blanding’s turtle. All are listed as Species at Risk, and their survival depends heavily on the actions of everyday people.

A Dangerous Journey

Between May and mid-July, female turtles leave the safety of their aquatic habitats and sometimes travel more than six kilometres to find suitable places to lay their eggs. This instinctive journey, repeated year after year, increasingly brings them into contact with roads and traffic.

Road mortality is now the second leading cause of turtle population decline, behind habitat loss. In regions like Niagara, where roads intersect wetlands and natural corridors, turtles rarely travel more than a kilometre or two without encountering traffic.

The results are devastating. Many turtles are struck by vehicles. While some may survive the initial impact, they often suffer severe injuries, including cracked shells, broken limbs, or internal trauma. Others are killed instantly.

The loss of even a single adult turtle, especially a female, can have long-term consequences. Unlike many other species, turtles take a long time to mature. Some do not reproduce until they are 8 to 25 years old, and fewer than one per cent of hatchlings survive to adulthood. Once mature, however, turtles can reproduce for decades, and some snapping turtles live over 100 years.

This means every adult turtle plays a critical role in sustaining the population. When one is lost, it can take decades for the population to recover, if it recovers at all.

What Drivers Need to Know

Motorists play a key role in reducing turtle deaths on local roads. The most important message is simple: slow down, stay alert, and be prepared to stop when it is safe to do so.

If you see a turtle on the road:

• Do not attempt to straddle it with your vehicle. This can cause fatal injuries, especially to snapping turtles, which cannot retract into their shells.
• If it is safe, pull over and help the turtle cross the road in the direction it is heading.
• Never pick up a turtle by its tail, as doing so can cause serious injury.
• Be especially cautious around snapping turtles. They may defend themselves by extending their necks and snapping. If necessary, use a shovel or board to gently guide or lift them.

If stopping is unsafe due to traffic, drivers are advised to proceed with caution. Safety for both people and wildlife must come first.

What To Do If a Turtle Is Injured

If you encounter an injured turtle, quick action can make the difference between life and death.

• Carefully place the turtle in a well-ventilated container with a secure lid. Do not add water.
• Keep the animal in a quiet, dark, room-temperature place, away from other pets.
• Do not attempt to feed or treat the turtle.
• Note the exact location where it was found.
• Contact the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) at 705-741-5000 for instructions.

Even outside the Peterborough area, the OTCC can connect residents with a network of trained Turtle First Response Centres across Ontario to ensure the animal receives proper care.

Protecting Nests and Eggs

Residents may also encounter nesting turtles or turtle nests during this time of year. While the instinct to help is understandable, it is important to follow the law and best practices.

• Do not disturb a nesting female. The process can take several hours.
• Never dig up or relocate a nest. This is illegal and can destroy the eggs.
• If eggs are accidentally disturbed, contact the OTCC immediately for guidance.

One practical way to help is to install a nest protector, a simple wooden frame with wire mesh that shields eggs from predators while allowing hatchlings to emerge safely.

Community Efforts and Long-Term Solutions

Education and community involvement are essential to turtle protection. Local residents can help by identifying turtle “hotspots” and collaborating with municipalities to install warning signs. In some cases, communities have successfully advocated for these signs by providing data and even covering the costs.

Long-term solutions are also being developed. Wildlife Eco passages, such as culverts installed under roads, paired with guiding fences, are increasingly common across Ontario. These allow turtles and other animals to cross safely without entering traffic. While road signage raises awareness, studies show that Eco passages are far more effective at preventing deaths.

Residents can report turtle sightings via platforms such as iNaturalist or provincial databases, helping scientists track populations and inform conservation strategies.

A Shared Responsibility

Turtles have existed for millions of years, yet today they face unprecedented threats, many of which are caused by human activity. Habitat destruction, road networks, and even illegal collection for pets or food have all contributed to their decline.

But there is hope. Conservation efforts, including rehabilitation, nest protection, and public education, are making a difference. At facilities like the OTCC, thousands of eggs are incubated and hatchlings released each year, boosting survival rates and helping stabilize populations.

Still, experts emphasize that prevention is the most effective solution.

For Fort Erie residents, that means staying aware, driving carefully, and taking simple steps when encountering turtles on the road. These small actions, repeated across a community, can have a lasting impact.

In a region where turtles must cross roads to survive, every driver, every resident, and every decision matter.