Georgian Bay Biosphere staff expect to collect their 10,000 turtle egg this spring.
Since 2020, the organization has rescued 8,900 eggs found throughout the Parry Sound district, incubated them, and released close to 8,000 hatchlings back into the wild, according to officials.
Tianna Burke, lands and wildlife program manager, says staff are called whenever turtle nests are found in at risk locations.
“This could be nests on the edges of roadways, at marinas and other high-use sites,” said Burke. “A lot of times this program has partnered with construction crews and our local townships at constructions sites. We go in ahead of time and clear the sites of nests and bring (the eggs) back for incubation.”
Last year, more than 1,700 eggs were collected, and more than 1,500 hatchlings were released. Four species of turtle eggs were collected, including the Midland Painted, Eastern Map, Common Snapping, and Blanding’s Turtle.
Burke said the organization has information and resources available to anyone who finds eggs on their property and wants to protect them, including turtle nest cages.
“If you have a nest in your backyard, you can use this cage to put on top of it, and that way predators like raccoons or skunks aren’t able to dig up these eggs and eat them.”
More information on what to do when you find a turtle nesting, or on a road, can be found here.