From Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles – SOARR:

It is now January 2025, and as Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR) begins it’s 32nd year carrying out research and conservation for some of Ontario’s most at-risk reptile species, we wanted to send out a huge thank you to everyone that made last year (2024) a tremendous success!

While reptiles have many obstacles to overcome, we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. Our reptile recovery efforts are ensuring tangible results for a number of species, especially the endangered Spiny Softshell Turtle. For the first time in likely the past 100 years or more, the softshell turtle population in the Upper Thames River watershed is starting to increase, instead of decrease! Thanks to the efforts of SOARR and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, we now see individuals of all ages, and for the 5th year in a row, we have observed new females starting to nest! This is a monumental moment for the species in Canada.

Additionally, we are positively impacting a number of other species, as well as influencing our local communities. We have seen so many dedicated and caring individuals, from all walks of life, stand up for our declining reptiles, through fundraising/donations, citizen science, volunteering, contacting elected officials, creating habitat on their properties and so much more. There is such great enthusiasm to make the world a little bit safer for our scaled neighbours. With that being said, the road to recovery is a difficult one and significant threats remain, so we are unable to let off the gas until we ensure there are viable populations and protected habitat throughout this region.

2024 SOARR RESULT OVERVIEW:

– a total of 10,000 hatchling turtles emerged in our lab, from 628 nests, of six different turtle species.

– of those 10,000 hatchlings, 5025 were endangered Spiny Softshell Turtles from the Thames River.

– We also conducted research at multiple sites, and assessed, measured, weighed and or marked over 500 turtles and snakes in the wild this year, including Spiny Softshell Turtle (endangered), Spotted Turtle (endangered), Blanding’s Turtle (endangered/threatened), Northern Map Turtle (special concern), Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (threatened), Queensnake (endangered) Milksnake (special concern) and others.

-We created, or rehabilitated over 20 turtle nesting sites, put in wildlife exclusion fencing to keep animals safe from roads, removed invasive plants, planted native plants, removed garbage from sensitive sites and installed various types of snake habitat throughout the watershed.

We all play a role in wildlife recovery, and united we have a strong voice for those without a voice.

Thank you!

Scott

Scott Gillingwater

Species At Risk Biologist, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

Director, Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR)

If you would like to donate to SOARR, follow this link.