WHIG-STANDARD (Kingston, Ontario) 10 August 06 Endangered turtles to leave home; Scientists to send hatchlings into Nova Scotia wild (Melanie Patten)
They've spent most of the first three years of their lives being reared by scientists, protected from predators and safe in their green-grey shells.
But a trio of young Blanding's turtles will march alone into Nova Scotia's wilderness today as part of a long-term bid to rebuild the province's population of this critically endangered species.
"These three turtles are kind of like astronauts," Stephen Flemming, a scientist with Parks Canada, said yesterday. "They're all wearing transmitters. They're going to be put out there and we're going to see how they're making out."
The three siblings - their sex will remain unknown until they're 20 years old - will be given Mi'kmaq names during a ceremony staged by the Bear River First Nation. Then they'll be released into a lake at Kejimkujik National Park in western Nova Scotia, the same park they were taken from while still inside their eggs.
Flemming is part of a team from Parks Canada, Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., and Oaklawn Farm Zoo in Aylesford, N.S.
The Blanding's turtle, notable for the sweep of bright yellow across its leathery neck, can be found around the Great Lakes, in a few places in New England and in southwest Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia population has dwindled to about 300 adults. Many are killed shortly after their birth by hungry raccoons and other predators, researchers say.
For years, scientists and volunteers have been collecting eggs, incubating them and raising the hatchlings until they're strong enough to defend themselves against predators - a process known as head-starting.
The three turtles slated for release were kept in a large aquarium at Oaklawn Farm Zoo in the Annapolis Valley. The climate-controlled tank features $300 lightbulbs that simulate sunlight.
The trio was released once before, but it was determined they weren't strong enough and were recaptured.
"These guys are like Arnold Schwarzenegger turtles," said Flemming, referring to the one-time bodybuilder. "They're ready to go."
Once released, it's hoped the turtles will provide clues to their lifestyle and habitat. They can live up to 80 years in the wild.
"Once we learn about the species, we can learn more about wetlands and be able to protect our natural wetlands," said Michael Lawton, a student from Acadia who's been working on the turtle project. "They're a model species for us to study."
The turtles will be monitored as they settle into life in the wild. Flemming said the team would like to triple the current population in Nova Scotia.
The team collected 57 eggs this spring, a dozen of which have hatched.
"We're really hoping this is the beginning of a big change," he said. "In 10 years, we could have this population well on the road to recovery."