Report a Sighting
An
effective public campaign using posters
[click image to enlarge]
designed
to solicit public reports was launched in 1996 and renewed in 2000
to help determine the distribution of Blanding's turtles in Nova Scotia. Prior
to 1996, the only confirmed population of Blanding's turtles in Nova Scotia occurred
within Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site (KNP). Thanks to public
sighting reports, we have since discovered two additional populations outside
the Park. We
are still trying to
locate additional concentrations of Blanding's turtles in Nova Scotia and can
use your help.
If
you see a Blanding's turtle:
-
Please
leave the turtle alone and try not to disturb it
-
Report the
sighting to our toll-free reporting line (1-866-727-3447) or email
sightings@speciesatrisk.ca
-
If you don't
mind, please leave your name and number so that researchers can contact you
with any questions they might have.
Common questions include:
-
When
and where did you see the turtle?
-
Can
you give us directions to the site?
-
What
did the turtle look like? How big was it?
-
What
was the habitat like (e.g. along a lake or a stream, on a lawn)?
-
What
was the turtle doing?
If
you have taken a photo of the turtle or the area in which you saw it, we would
appreciate seeing a copy of the photograph.
Become a volunteer
There are many opportunities
for people of all ages to get directly involved in Blanding's turtle research and recovery including protecting
nests, assisting with population surveys and radio tracking turtles. For more information please visit
the Kejimkujik Area Stewardship Programs website .
If you would like to become
involved in the nest protection program, please contact volunteer coordinator Eric
Alcorn.
Adopt a Blanding's
turtle
Blanding's
turtle researchers and KNP staff have teamed up to develop an Adopt-a-Blanding's
program to raise funds to support Blanding's turtle recovery. This program is
still under development; researchers hope to launch it in summer 2006.
