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  • Biodiversity
    • Why is Biodiversity Important?
    • Threats to Biodiversity
    • What are Species at Risk?
    • Recovery Planning
    • Environmental Monitoring
  • Species at Risk
    • Species at Risk
      • SAR in the Sydenham
      • Mussels
      • Fishes
      • Snakes
      • Turtles
    • Mussels
      • Eastern Pondmussel
      • Fawnsfoot
      • Kidneyshell
      • Lilliput
      • Mapleleaf
      • Northern Riffleshell
      • Purple Wartyback
      • Rainbow
      • Rayed Bean
      • Round Hickorynut
      • Round Pigtoe
      • Salamander Mussel
      • Snuffbox
      • Threehorn Wartyback
      • Wavy-rayed Lampmussel
    • Fishes
      • Blackstripe Topminnow
      • Eastern Sand Darter
      • Grass Pickerel
      • Northern Madtom
      • Northern Sunfish
      • Pugnose Minnow
      • Pugnose Shiner
      • River Darter
      • Silver Lamprey
      • Spotted Sucker
    • Snakes
      • Eastern Foxsnake
      • Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
      • Eastern Milksnake
    • Turtles
      • Blanding’s Turtle
      • Midland Painted Turtle
      • Northern Map Turtle
      • Snapping Turtle
      • Spiny Softshell
  • Stewardship
    • Healthy Watersheds Program
      • Sydenham Phosphorus Reduction Initiative
    • Managing Phosphorus
    • Phosphorus StoryMap
    • Reducing Pollution in Runoff
    • Best Management Practices Resources
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    • Report a Turtle Sighting
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Report a Turtle Sighting

Home Get InvolvedReport a Turtle Sighting

Turtle Sighting Reporting Form

St. Clair Region Conservation Authority

 

Why report my turtle sightings?

All eight of Ontario’s native turtles are species at risk. Information on the location and behaviour of these animals is important for the protection and recovery of their populations as well as their habitat.

Community science and engagement is vital to supporting the conservation of wildlife and natural areas. By submitting your sightings you will be helping turtle conservation efforts!

Reporting my sighting…

  • Please use this form to report any turtles you encounter.
  • One submission can be made for multiple turtles observed at a single location. Separate forms are required for turtles observed at different locations.
  • We encourage including photo(s) where possible, this will allow the sighting to be verified.
  • This form should take about 5 minutes to complete.

After completing this form you will receive a confirmation email that contains a copy of the information you have provided for your records.

Verified sightings will be included in the SCRCA’s Turtle Monitoring Database and will be shared with the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC). Sightings may also be shared with other government and non-government agencies, organizations, researchers, and individuals working to protect these animals.

What should I do if I encounter…

A healthy turtle

Respectfully enjoy your turtle sighting from a distance. Snap a photo, note the location, and report it using the Turtle Sighting Reporting Form below!

DO NOT allow your pets to harass the animal.

DO NOT remove a healthy turtle from its habitat.

It is illegal to keep wild animals captive in Ontario (it is illegal to remove native turtles from the wild or keep them as pets).

A turtle on the road

If you encounter a turtle crossing the road – and it is safe to do so – help them across the road in the direction they are travelling.

DO NOT pick them up by their tail as this can injure their spine.

Check out this video from the Toronto Zoo for tips on how to safely help a turtle cross the road.

A nesting turtle ⚠

If you see a nesting turtle, DO NOT disturb them or their nest (it is against the law), even if they are nesting on the shoulder of a road.

Please report your sighting of a nesting turtle as soon as possible using the form below. Based on the information you provide, our biologists may call you for additional details to assess if the nest should be collected through the SCRCA’s Captive Hatch and Release Program.

 

Through the SCRCA’s Captive Hatch and Release Program, our biologists have special permits to rescue turtle eggs that are under imminent threat. We work with our partners at Salthaven and UTRCA to incubate the eggs and then release the hatchlings back at their original nest location. Learn more!

 

For additional information on how you can help turtle nests, visit Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre – Nesting.

An injured turtle ⚠

For injured turtles, please call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) immediately at 1-705-741-5000.

Injured turtles require medical attention as soon as possible – the OTCC has a network of volunteers and contacts at Turtle First Response Centres across the province that can help.

For additional information on how you can help injured turtles, visit Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre – Injured.

A recently deceased turtle

Recently deceased turtles may still be able to help the future of their species. For example, tissue samples may be useful for research studies or females may be carrying eggs that can be rescued.

If you come across a recently deceased turtle, call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 705-741-5000.

Learn more at Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre – The Value of a Deceased Turtle.

    Turtle Sighting Reporting Form


    If you are reporting a nesting turtle, please include your phone number so our biologists can contact you if needed

    Can be approximate, please include am/pm

    7. Turtle location *

    For example: UTM coordinates, latitude/longitude, link to Google Maps pin, address, nearest intersection or landmark

    For help identifying turtle species, please visit Ontario Nature's Turtle Atlas.

    If you are unsure, please select "Unknown" and provide details in the "Description of turtle(s)" section below.

    If you observe more than one species at the same location, please select one species from this list and add any other species to the "Additional sighting notes" section below.

    If multiple species were sighted at this location, please note how many of each species.

    For example: identifying features, size, adult/juvenile, male/female, injuries/deformities

    Can be approximate, please note if Celsius or Farhenheit

    Where possible, please upload one or more pictures of the turtle(s) to verify the sighting (accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif; up to 20mb)

    * Required fields

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