The spiny softshell turtle has been put on the country’s endangered species list, despite extensive efforts in places like London to keep the population growing.
The continuing decline of the turtle in both Ontario and Quebec is blamed primarily on the loss of natural nesting grounds, invasive plants and poaching.
Conservation officials have worked diligently to protect the spiny softshell turtle in the Upper Thames River, replenishing stocks regularly over the past few years.
Despite being placed on the endangered species list, the spiny softshell turtle has been thriving in the London area thanks to work by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.
In other parts of the country, though, populations are not doing so well, which prompted the Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada to upgrade the turtle from threatened to endangered.
Officials with the Upper Thames Conservation Authority want to share their knowledge with other regions, where efforts have not been so successful, explained Scott Gillingwater, species at risk biologist.
“We continue to work hard to protect and recover this species,” he said. “Since our recovery efforts have resulted in proven success in Canada, we can share this model for other sites where this turtle has active populations.”