The Seneca Nation Conservation – Fish & Wildlife is asking the public while on your adventures this summer if you spot a wood turtle, please call our office ASAP at 716-945-8155 (on TERRITORY only) Please provide the location of the sighting.
We are asking the public PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB THE TURTLE/TURTLES. CALL OUR OFFICE WITH THE SIGHTING. LEAVE THEM BE, we only need a sighting and location call ASAP.
Are Wood Turtles rare?
Yes, wood turtles are considered a rare and an ENDANGERED species, especially in certain regions, including Western NY.
Here’s why wood turtles are considered rare:
Habitat loss and fragmentation:
Wood turtles rely on specific stream habitats and surrounding areas for foraging, nesting, and overwintering. Land development and road construction fragment and destroy these habitats, limiting their range and isolating populations.
Road mortality:
Wood turtles are vulnerable to roadkill as they travel across roads to access different areas, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Predation:
Nest predation by raccoons and other animals is also a significant threat, especially at roadside nesting sites.
Pet trade:
In the past, wood turtles were sometimes collected for the pet trade, further depleting their populations.
Climate change:
Climate change can also affect wood turtle populations by altering water levels and temperatures in their stream habitats.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect wood turtles:
Many states have laws and regulations to protect wood turtles and their habitats.
Conservation organizations are working to maintain and enhance suitable habitat, protect nesting sites, and educate the public about the importance of wood turtle conservation.
Some efforts involve reintroducing captive-bred wood turtles into the wild.
Why we want sightings:
The Seneca Nation F & W in Allegany are currently collaborating with a joint project to rear and release wood turtles on Seneca Nation Territory. The department (us) will tag and monitor the turtles movements. In the Spring/Summer we would like to gather the female turtle and take her to the The Buffalo Zoo, so they can lay their eggs in a controlled environment. After the egg laying process is complete the female is then released back to its original home range on Seneca Nation lands. The turtle eggs are cared for , hatched and fed under the Zoo’s tutelage & juvenile turtles are released back on the territory to help with the low populations. Released turtles are tagged and monitored for movements and survival rates.
These efforts will allow the SN Fish & Wildlife department to determine home ranges and population numbers. Knowledge of this information will allow the department to make future plans for habitat improvement and protection projects.
Again, PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB THE TURTLE/TURTLES. CALL OUR OFFICE WITH THE SIGHTING.
