Three groups of newborn indigenous turtle (two groups of painted turtles and one group of snapping turtles) hatched last summer at nesting sites on the Ottawa River set up by biologist Nathalie Tessier, a post-doctoral trainee in the Department of Biological Sciences at Université de Montréal. "They are going to live in their natural habitat and come back to lay their eggs in the same place when they are adults," notes Dr. Tessier, who is associated with the Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Evolution.

Her novel research project is designed to identify optimal conditions for laying and hatching eggs of these little-studied reptiles, whose survival is in doubt owing to threats to their environment. Every year, countless numbers perish on the roads or are eaten by predators, such as raccoons. Others are victims of pollution, destruction of wetlands or flooding of banks caused by construction of dams or hydroelectric power facilities. The Ottawa Valley region has the largest variety of indigenous turtles in Quebec, seven of nine species. The spiny soft shelled turtle is a "threatened species," the leatherback turtle is "endangered," but all the others could appear on the "list of the species that could be designated threatened or vulnerable" maintained by the Société de la faune et des parcs du Québec." The turtles we see in Quebec are at the northern limit of their distribution. They have been on the list of threatened species in the United States for twenty years. Here there is still no agreement on giving them special protection."

The reproductive habits of turtles on this continent are not well known. In addition to offering a choice of substrata (sand, gravel or natural soil), their nests are safe from predators. Starting in May, measuring equipment will record the temperature and humidity of the sites several times a day. As with certain amphibians, soil temperature can determine sex. A very hot or very cool summer will produce more female painted turtles, whereas mild summers will produce more males. Over a three year period, this project will help identify the females' preferences. If they choose natural soils-two of the three nests located last summer were dug in this type of soil-it could make things much easier. In the parks and reserves, access to some parts of the banks will have to be prohibited in order to allow the species to reproduce. If the turtles prefer sand or gravel, dumptruck loads will have to be brought in. "We want to develop a technique that is easy to follow for people who want to help these species survive," added Dr. Tessier.

Researcher: Nathalie Tessier
Telephone: (514) 343-1031
Funding: Société de la faune et des parcs du Québec, Hydro Quebec, Ducks Unlimited, Fondation de la faune du Québec, Canadian Wildlife Federation, World Nature Fund, Faune-Nature and Aylmer Hunting and Fishing Club