Have you seen any Western Painted Turtles in the Slocan Valley region? The Valhalla Foundation for Ecology (VFE) would like to know more after finding the species at Snk’mip Marsh Sanctuary. Any knowledge about nesting or basking locations, or general sighting reports will help us preserve local biodiversity and enhance wildlife habitats.
Western Painted Turtles are a threatened (blue-listed) species in British Columbia and listed as a species of special concern by COSEWIC (2017, 2016) which means they are vulnerable to declines and must be protected.
The main threats to their survival are habitat fragmentation and destruction, and road mortality…. which once again brings us to our advocacy for non-motorized use of trails and outdoor recreational facilities. If you’re a sensitive species such as a turtle, ATV riders and others on a fossil-fuel burning machines in turtle habitat = not so good.
Please contact VFE if you have information about nesting or basking locations, as well as general sightings of Western Painted Turtles in the Slocan Valley area. Contact VFE biologist Amber Peters at amber.vfe@xplornet.ca.
The Valhalla Foundation for Ecology