Multiple turtles killed near Fergus roundabout

FERGUS – The roundabout connecting Beatty Line and Colborne Street on the north side of Fergus has been the site of multiple turtle deaths recently.

According to Sandy Snickles, organizer of the Wellington Turtle Conservation Group, seven painted turtles were reportedly killed by vehicles near the roundabout between Sept. 4 and 5.

There are wetlands on either side of this section of Beatty Line, and Snickles said the turtles are likely travelling from wetlands on the west side to those on the east in search of a place to spend the winter, putting them in the path of vehicles.

Two snapping turtles, one juvenile and one adult, have also been found dead recently.

The crossings coincide with the painted turtle’s seasonal cycle. 

During September and October, painted turtles move to aquatic habitats where they spend the winter dormant beneath the ice, nestled in mud in a process called brumation.

That makes this a particularly important time for drivers to watch for turtles crossing roads.

Road deaths can be especially significant for slow-reproducing species. Female painted turtles typically do not reach sexual maturity until they are between 12 and 15 years old, and while females may lay one or two clutches of eggs each year, only a small proportion of hatchlings survive to maturity.

Snickles’ first piece of advice for drivers is simple: slow down.

She said drivers have been known to travel up to 70km/h along Beatty Line, despite a 20km/h speed limit near the roundabout where the turtles have been killed.

If drivers spot a turtle crossing the road, Snickles said they can help it reach the other side if it is safe to do so. However, she stressed people should be extremely cautious around the Beatty Line roundabout because of speeding vehicles.

Human safety takes precedence, she said.