As female turtles start leaving the water in search of sand or gravel uplands to lay their eggs, Wisconsin conservation biologists are asking people to report where the turtles cross the road and to help protect nests that turtles may build on residential lawns, gardens or gravel driveways.
DNR biologist Andrew Badje says beginning about now until July female turtles are looking for places to nest. He says it also is the time when turtles are struck by vehicles as they cross roadways.
He hopes citizens relay information on where the turtle crossings are...
"...What the DNR is hoping to do is pick up on that local knowledge and have citizens of Wisconsin contribute to local conservation for turtles in their area as well as report those road crossings, as well as any sightings they see or nesting areas. It helps us learn more as an agency as to all the species and where they are located in the state..."
Badje says if you decide to help a turtle cross the road, do so only when traffic allows and you are safe. He says smaller turtles are easy to pick up and move them across the road.
Larger turtles, like snapping turtles, can be aggressive. He says slide a car mat under them and drag them from their back side to the side of the road they're headed. He says avoid the turtles jaws.
Conservation biologists have documented 1,959 turtle crossing locations. Of those, 42 crossings are particularly deadly for turtles, resulting in high levels of mortality. Some species of turtles, like the wood turtle, take 12 to 20 years to reach reproductive maturity, so the death of even a few turtles in a population can take a big toll.
Vilas, Forest and Oneida counties are areas with noticeable turtle populations. Badje says if turtles lay eggs on lawns or gravel driveways you can help them avoid predators by making a wire cage. We have a link here for more information. Here's another link.
