Last Hope: Freshwater Turtles at Risk

Freshwater turtles are the quiet, unsung heroes of the Canadian wilderness. They steadily clean wetlands by consuming vegetation and scavenging, while also being vital prey for other animals up the food chain. 

However, these unassuming creatures are under severe threats from all sides. Blanding’s turtle, for example, has had a precipitous population decline of roughly 60% decline in the past 120 years. That’s why the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective is putting its focus on freshwater turtles for its ongoing Last Hope awareness campaign.

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The Last Hope campaign pairs world-class photography with important conservation topics in order to fully illuminate the crises at hand. Caribou and grizzly bears are just some of the other species the CCPC has zoomed in on. 

Four species of freshwater turtles in Canada are endangered, one is threatened, and three are of special concern. Species like the painted turtle are found widely across the country, while others, like spotted turtles, are found in much more limited geographies. First among the threats to all of these freshwater turtle species is habitat degradation. This generally comes in the form of human land development. 

Roads are also a particular challenge for turtles, with collisions being a major cause of mortality. Be sure to read up on the CCPC’s Crossing Paths campaign to learn more about the role of human transportation in the disruption of natural behavior. 

While Canada’s freshwater turtles face an uphill battle, all is not lost. Habitat protections and law enforcement have supported rebounds of select species. Investments in fencing and culverts beneath roads has provided turtles a way to reach important resources without the threat of human traffic. 

There’s much more to discover about freshwater turtles, the challenges they face, and the solutions at hand. Click the link below to discover another key player in Canada’s sprawling ecosystems. 

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