Born free to swim again!
This female snapping turtle was hit by a car and admitted to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for treatment and is now healthy and has been released into friendly surroundings.
The turtle was admitted to the Centre one year ago due to injuries sustained while trying to cross a busy road, according to officials of the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC).
“She was still gravid with eggs,” the OTCC says in a post on Facebook. “Here she is being released back to her habitat!”
Centre workers say 11 eggs that the turtle was carrying were successfully hatched and the hatchlings were released in the area with ‘a coverage of aquatic vegetation that will provide safety from predators.’
The release of the turtle, which was shared by Friends of Sam Smith Park, had many area residents cheering for the animal as she settled in her new surroundings.
“That’s so great,” wrote Elizabeth Jones. “Thanks to all involved. This beauty was bathing at my dock yesterday.”
“Yeah! Happy dance for this awesome turtle,” says an excited Liz Burroughs. “Thank you for all you do each and every one of you.”
“That is a good ending story,” says Gary Hrystak. “Thank you Drew for making this photo and outcome possible.”
“Excellent story bless you all,” posts Alan Allen.
If you have an injured turtle please call the OTCC at 705-741-5000.
If you are inquiring about eggs, nest protectors, or anything else please email them at info@ontarioturtle.ca or volunteer@ontarioturtle.ca
The hospital is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. They are open during the Covid-19 pandemic and will admit injured turtle and have procedures to ensure no human to human contact.
OTCC is the only wildlife rehabilitation centre dedicated to providing medical and rehabilitative care to Ontario turtles. Once healed these turtles are released back into their natural habitat where they can continue to reproduce for many decades. In 2017 the hospital admitted 920 turtles, in 2018 the number was 938, and in 2019 they saw a record number of 1498 admissions.