The Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project has received unusual wildlife sighting reports this summer – turtles wandering on roads in Gibsons.
The Sunshine Coast is home to federally endangered western painted turtles living in the lakes of the Pender Harbour and Halfmoon Bay area, but there are no wild turtle populations south of Sechelt.
Turtles spotted in Gibsons are either painted turtles that have been kidnapped from their homes in the wild, or red-eared sliders, non-native turtles purchased from pet shops and released.
According to Wildlife Project leader Michelle Evelyn, all turtles sighted south of Sechelt have been brought there by people. Evelyn, who is a member of the Western Painted Turtle Recovery Team, said these activities are devastating to local turtle populations.
“Each turtle removed from a lake reduces the size of the breeding population, and makes that population less likely to survive. These endangered turtles are a precious part of our natural heritage. It will be a tragedy if they disappear from the Sunshine Coast.”
Evelyn said some people move turtles wishing to enrich to their backyard ponds. But these turtles inevitably start to wander, searching for more suitable habitat and other turtles. Rather than seeking turtles for backyard ponds, she encourages community members to appreciate native wildlife species.
“Everything from frogs and salamanders to herons and ducks will love your pond. Embrace the native species that move in naturally and leave turtles alone.”
Evelyn reminds community members that western painted turtles are legally protected by the BC Wildlife Act. It is illegal to handle or move them. Non-native pet shop turtles, like red-eared sliders, are invasive species that pose a serious risk to wild turtles and should never be released into the wild.
To learn more about turtle conservation efforts, visit www.facebook.com/coastwildlife or www.coastwildlife.ca. Please contact 604-989-1007 or [email protected] if a painted turtle has ended up on your property and needs to be returned to the wild, or if you have information about people capturing wild turtles.
– Submitted
