The northern map turtle is considered a species at risk in Canada, but in at least one eastern Ontario lake they appear to be doing slightly better. And while the turtle population on Opinicon Lake is doing “fairly well,” things aren’t perfect, says Gregory Bulté, our Biology Associate Prof & Ottawa-area Biologist.
Greg has been studying and tracking the turtles on the North Frontenac lake since 2003. He says there’s a pretty big increase in the number of propeller injuries on these turtles in the last 20 years.
‘Despite their relatively stable population numbers on the lake, 13 per cent of the female turtles have been struck by boats,’ says Greg.