Nesting turtles possible targets in West Quebec

CTV Ottawa: Turtles being targeted There is an investigation underway in west Quebec tonight after the possibly targeted deaths of two nesting turtles and their offspring.

The deaths of two nesting turtles on a country road in West Quebec have some locals worried this was no accident.

The turtles were struck about one kilometre apart along Bristol Mine Road in Pontiac County.

Sandy Carr said she was driving to visit her father who lives in the area on Monday afternoon when she first noticed a large nesting turtle. Carr stopped her vehicle to take a video as she was captivated by the sight.

Less than an hour later Carr said she took the same road to head home when she saw the turtle had been struck. She then took a second video showing the turtle on its back and what looks like tire marks leading towards the turtle.

“The turtle was on the shoulder. She was laying eggs well out of the way. Anyone could driver around her, the speed limit is 40, there is no good reason,” said Carr.

Carr’s father, Paul Riendeau, said he returned to the location the next day to find new tire marks. He believes they were put there later to cover up a crime.

The pair said they also located a second mother turtle crushed just a kilometre up the road. They believe these are acts of animal cruelty.

“The turtled had been murdered. Killed by the driver who actually targeted the turtle by coming off the main road, was inches from the green,” said Reindeau.

Reindeau said the area is a turtle sanctuary and that he has contacted the authorities.

We reached to wildlife officials who said “our team of agents will certainly take a look at the situation because no one can harm a species on purpose,” said Jacques Nadeau, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Nadeau said if a person was caught intentionally injuring an animal they could face a fine up to $2,000 dollars.

All along Bristol Mine Rd. there are signs posted from the Nature Conservancy of Canada.  Caroline Gage, an NCC spokesperson, said the area is home to five species of turtles – four of them who are at risk at either of both the provincial (QC) and federal levels.

If you see a turtle on the road the NCC want you to:

·         Record your observations of living, hurt or dead turtles at www.carapace.ca/en (new initiative, website was created a week ago)

·         Observe the turtles at a distance! Never remove them from their natural habitat, and never move them to another habitat.

·         Help a turtle you find on the road by encouraging it to cross in the direction it’s headed; don’t put it back in the water or move it elsewhere, and, above all, never hold it by its tail.

·         Avoid drying out wetlands created by beavers, dismantling their dams, or even removing branches and tree trunks lying at the water’s edge.

·         See more info at www.carapace.ca/en