How to help injured turtles
1. Find an injured turtle
2. Place the turtle in your vehicle
3. Record the exact location
4. Drive without music
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1. Find an injured turtle 2. Place the turtle in your vehicle 3. Record the exact location 4. Drive without music ~
Confirm turtle is injured
Many turtles have old injuries. Check for fresh blood on their head, legs or nearby (aka the road), look at their carapace and plastron (top and bottom shell) for cracks. When unsure, best to bring the turtle to receive help.
Do not assume the turtle is dead
Turtles can reduce their metabolism and breath so low they appear dead. Unless the turtle is stinky, flat, or dried out, assume they are alive and bring them to get help.
Prepare to transport
Move the turtle into a dry, ventilated container with a towel and a secure lid. Do not offer the turtle any food or water. Place the container in a secure location of the vehicle (e.g. on the floor or buckled into the back). Be sure you know how to safely move a turtle.
Special consideration
Hatchlings found after October can be brought to a rehab centre for winter. Any unearthed eggs must be immediately transported to a rehab centre for incubation. Place eggs in slightly damp soil from where found, be sure to NEVER turn or rotate eggs. NEVER dig up a turtle nest - it is illegal and could kill the hatchlings. Nest in a bad spot? Contact turtleskingston@gmail.com.
Wash your hands
Turtles can carry bacteria and pathogens so be sure to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer after touching any turtle.
Record location information
Make sure you record the exact location you found the turtle - cross roads, nearest water body, house number etc. This information is required to release the turtle, otherwise it may need to be euthanized.
Transport the turtle
While driving do not play loud music, speak softly, and drive cautiously. Avoid sharp turns so the turtle does not slide around unnecessarily. You can bring the turtle to a Turtles Kingston temporary holding station [link to our page with locations of vets], directly to Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre [link to google maps location], or to the Peterborough Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre.
Drop off the turtle
Always ensure you hand the turtle over to a person - NEVER leave them unattended by a door. You will be asked for your personal information when dropping off a turtle, this is required by law for contact tracing purposes, should the turtle be carrying any viruses or bacteria.
What if you find a turtle on the highway?
If you spot a turtle on a busy four-lane highway like the 401:
Pull over only when it is safe to do so
Engage your emergency 4-way flashers
Remain in your vehicle
Make note of your location to provide to the operator
Call the OPP non-emergency telephone number 1-888-310-1122
Do not exit your vehicle. Wait for the responding officer to arrive
If the turtle is injured or dead, consider transporting it yourself to Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre or the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for trauma treatment, egg extraction, or euthanasia.
Why transport dead turtles?
When injured, a turtle’s metabolism can slow to the point that they appear dead but are still very much alive. Their slow metabolic rate combined with their amazing regenerative and healing abilities is what allows turtles to survive significant injuries that would be fatal in mammals and birds. These turtles require an experienced rehabilitator to determine if they are indeed dead, in need of euthanasia, or if they can be rehabilitated. Even if the turtle itself is dead, they may be a gravid female, in which case eggs can be extracted and incubated if rescued within 24 hours. You’d be surprised what can be done to help heal a turtle!
NOTE: if the turtle smells, is desiccated or completely flat, it is too dead or has been dead for too long to be helped.