The Nature Conservancy of Canada says the reduction of drivers on the roads due to COVID-19 could be good news for turtles.
The global pandemic has drastically reduced the presence of people out and about in cities, on roads, beaches and in parks.
News stories are showing up around the world about animals encroaching on what's usually occupied by us. Leatherback sea turtles are beginning to thrive on Australian beaches, a kangaroo was recently filmed bounding around a deserted downtown Adelaide, crocodiles are sunning themselves on popular Mexican surfing beaches and wild boars are encroaching on Italian and Spanish communities.
The Nature Conservancy's Kristyn Ferguson says locally, our scarcity could make for a good breeding year for local turtles, “Every single turtle species is now listed as a species at risk,” says Ferguson.
She explains turtles are often found by roads or crossing them, and often get hit by vehicles.
Ontario's Snapping Turtles don't start reproducing until they're close to 20 years old and if they live that long, can lay eggs yearly for many years.
“I really think we could maybe see some local booms in turtle populations as a result of less cars on the road with vehicle strikes being a main issue for their survival.”
Ferguson says if you spot a turtle on the road or by it, you can help them.
She says any turtle that can pull its head into its shell is easy to move, “You can pick them up like a hamburger…holding them supported on the top and bottom and just pick them up gently off the road and walk them in the direction they were going.”
She notes if you send it back in the direction it was coming from, it's only going to try and cross again.
For snapping turtles, which can't pull their heads back into their shells, you can use a “wheelbarrow technique.” She says, “It doesn't want to hurt you, but it doesn't want to be bothered, so that's why they are going to reach their head around and snap and that makes it really intimidating for people to try and move them off the road.”
Ferguson says you can grab a hold of the lip on the back of their shell, on either side of their big pointy tail and slightly lift the back of them and they'll walk forward on their front legs.
“If you can move a big lady snapping turtle off the road safely, she may go on to have several young that year.”
Turtles can carry Salmonella, so it's a good idea to wash your hands after handling turtles.
Meanwhile, the Nature Conservancy is also concerned our absence could allow invasive species to thrive, and Ferguson says to keep an eye out for garlic mustard, “That plant is really problematic in gardens, in ravines and especially in our native forests. It can really take over.”
Protective Security Officers tracked a suspect wearing a grey fur coat hopping through the heart of the #adelaide CBD this morning. He was last seen on foot heading into the West Parklands #animaltakeover #whatsthatskip #kangaroo #cityslicker pic.twitter.com/JPyVXIYQRw
— South Australia Police (@SAPoliceNews) April 19, 2020