Over 900 people attended this fall's annual Turtle Hatchling release at the Morrison Dam near Exeter.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority Communication Specialist Tim Cumming says this was the third year for the event. He says 250 people turned out for the first release in 2016. That number grew to 550 people last year and to 925 this year.
The Huron Stewardship Council supervised the release of the native Snapping Turtle hatchlings.
The turtle release event raised $1,200, and that money will be donated to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, home of Ontario’s largest turtle hospital, to be used in the rehabilitation of injured turtles.
Thousands of turtles are hit by cars as they attempt to cross the road to find a place to lay their eggs in the spring. Many males looking for a mate are hit by vehicles as they cross roads in the fall.
More information about the turtle release can be found on the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority website.
(ABCA photo)
