IMAGE GALLERY: MassWildLife Celebrates Turtles

Northern Red-bellied Cooter, Eastern Box and snapping turtles were among those featured in the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildLife) “Celebration of Turtles.” On Friday, May 19, at the MassWildLife Field Headquarters in Westborough, representatives from several organizations came together to share turtle-related information on habitat, threats, research, and conservation.  

Along with Partners in Reptiles and Amphibian Conservation (PARC) and other conservation groups, MassWildLife has designated 2011 as the “Year of the Turtle.” This effort is designed to raise awareness and bring about action to protect this species that faces extinction.

According to Mary Griffin, Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game, who was present at this event, "We have about 16 or possibly 17 native species of turtles in Massachusetts, and 11 of these unfortunately are on the state's endangered list, and 7 are on the federal list.”

Wayne MacCallum, Director of MassWildlife pointed out, “Predators, roadkill, and habitat loss are major issues. We’re trying to focus on getting info out on turtles.”

The exhibits provided a fast education in turtles. Here are a few highlights from those in attendance:

• Marla Isaac, who runs New England Reptile and Raptor Exhibits and is the Conservation Officer for Taunton, commented to Westborough Patch "Turtles can't change. They are who they are. We could lose a whole species." She brought several live native turtles to the event, including a large snapping turtle. Isaac repeated several times, “Turtles are not pets.”
• Peter Mirick, Wildlife Biologist at MassWildlife asked Bruce Ericson, an independent researcher, to bring an Eastern Box turtle to the meeting. Ericson found one in Rutland. "There are 64 Eastern box turtles in this area. Over several years, I have followed the standard research procedure and marked each one with special notch,” according to Ericson. Mirick adds, "Survival of a turtle from egg to midsize is less than 3 percent. In a protected habitat, once adulthood is reached, survival is about 90 percent."
• David Paulson, Endangered Species Biologist at MassWildlife, and intern Jen Fritsch demonstrated a telemetry system used to follow the movements of turtles. According to Paulson, "In order to better protect the species, we need to know what habitat they use."
• Maryann Piché, Habitat Management Biologist at MassWildlife and Mike Sawyer, Landowner Incentive Program Coordinator work together to help conserve endangered species by working with property owners to preserve and in some cases, to create habitat. For example, grants are offered to farmers who agree to delay mowing hay fields in which turtles nest.
• Judy Forsberg of CEF Creations discussed her interactive CD, Secrets of Northeastern Turtles.
• Brian Sharp, Operations Coordinator, Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, and Erin Burke, Protected Species Biologist from the Division of Marine Fisheries, joined the group to discuss their efforts to save entangled sea turtles. Sharp mentioned, "A lot of people don't realize that we have sea turtles in Massachusetts. We have them from June to October." According to Sharpe, most of the sea turtles are leatherbacks from 5 to 6 feet in length, and from 600 to 1,400 pounds. Approximately 12 to 26 entangled sea turtles are reported every year. The Provincetown Center for maintains a hotline for endangered sea turtles and whales (800-900-3622).

Collecting Red-bellied Cooters for Relocation on May 26^th

Marion Larson, Outreach Coordinator to MassWildLife described an ambitious effort to collect endangered Northern red-bellied Cooters this past early winter.  A group of Massachusetts’s residents, including students, have cared for these animals for several months. On Thursday, May 26^th at 11am, MassWildlife expects that a large number of people will bring these turtles to the Westborough Field Headquarters for relocation to a suitable habitat. This event is open to the public.

Should I help a turtle cross the street? MassWildLife says yes, if it’s safe for you. Some people prefer to use a shovel to nudge along the turtle.