Spring weather has come late this year, which means so has nesting season for native turtle populations, and people are being asked to be cautious.
Wildlife experts from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) are in gear, trying to track local at-risk turtle populations.
Kaela Paddick, a species at risk technician with UTRCA, explains they're looking for, "Anything shiny, circular like sitting out on branches or poking their heads out of the water. And we're looking at for species at risk particularly."
They're surveying wetlands trying to get a handle on at-risk turtle populations. Among those threatened are the spotted turtle, the blanding's turtle and the spiny softshell turtle.
Scott Gillingwater, species at risk biologist, says "Now that things are warming up turtles are starting to cross the road and unfortunately make themselves vulnerable to being hit by vehicles."
And with Thames River tributaries running throughout the city, almost any road near a waterway or marshy area could potentially be a turtle crossing.
So area residents are asked to keep a watchful eye on the road.
"If they have an opportunity - a safe opportunity to slow their vehicle down, stop their vehicle and even help the turtle cross the road - to do so because it could be a 80- to 100-year-old animal that they are saving and protecting," Gillingwater says.
He adds that if you find a turtle nesting on your property do not disturb it. Eggs may take 50 to 90 days to hatch and while many are destroyed by predators, survivors contribute to the health of the ecosystem.
Finally, if you spot any of the species at risk you're asked to contact the conservation authority with details at: gillingwaters@thamesriver.on.ca
