turtle rescue and hatching

An employee of the Ministry of Natural Resources commented on this blog that raising turtle eggs at home may be illegal – but first what is happening to the eggs.

We had our second casualty this week. One of the eggs in the map turtle box collapsed in on itself. It was probably the stink pot turtle egg, which was tenuous to begin with. The rest seem to be holding their own. I am leaving the lid propped open for air circulation and to keep the condensation down. The humidly is still about 90% in the tubs.

The map turtles continue to lay eggs. On our way to a swim yesterday we saw one making her way up from the bridge to a prime nesting area. She was on the side of the road. We carried her kicking, and I am sure silently screaming, over the road. On the way back from the swim (about 45 minutes later) she was heading back to the water. Again she was one the side of the road. We carried her down and she rapidly swam off.

The communication from the MNR employee, comment on the previous entry, suggests that this turtle "mid-wiving" is in contravention to numerous laws regarding endangered species. I have put a call into find out if this is true and will up date as information becomes known.

My knowledge of the endangered species legislation is at a more macro level. I certainly support the concept and would not want to be in violation of this law. My understanding is that if anything it needs to be stronger. Numerous environmental organizations have criticized it for only being able to make recommendations. It does not bind the government to any course of action to protect endangered species.

My second thought is that we are fighting to preserve a habitat that has nurtured endangered species but the laws do not seem to be able to stop the raising of the Mitchell Creek Bridge. Yet, if the rumour is true, the law makes it hard to try and save eggs that had no chance of survival.

The irony is that one of the threats to these eggs is the actual bridge construction that will damage the turtle’s habitat.