Ontario’s turtle populations are in decline. If you’ve got a turtle hooked and on the line, please follow these steps!
1. Avoid cutting the line or lifting the turtle by the line. Leaving a hook embedded in the turtle can lead to severe injury or death.
2. Reel it in slowly and gently. Reeling the turtle in slowly and gently helps prevent the hook from embedding deeper and causing further harm.
3. Use a net or hold the back of the turtle’s shell. Once the turtle is reeled in, use a net or carefully hold the back of its shell to lift it out of the water. Refer to this resource for more information on how to properly handle a turtle.
4. Cut the line safely. Once the turtle is secured out of the water, use pliers to cut the fishing line. Avoid the head of the turtle by cutting the line at a distance from the face. If there’s no risk of being bitten (likely with species other than a Snapping turtle), cut the line short enough so that the turtle does not get tangled in it and injure their legs.
Next Steps
Call a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
First, contact the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) at (705) 741-5000. They provide medical care at no charge and have volunteers across Ontario to assist with transportation.
Additionally, you can reach out to these organizations for further support:
- Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC): Fill out the online form to request a call back. If you are unable to access the form, please call (416) 631-0662 and leave a message.
- Heart Lake Turtle Troopers: Email heartlaketurtletroopers@gmail.com. Provide as much information as possible, including the type of turtle, location, time of capture, and any identifiable markings on the turtle.
Protect the Turtle!
While waiting for assistance, it is important to keep the turtle safe and minimize stress:
- Do not offer food or provide medical care yourself. Refrain from attempting to treat the turtle in any way.
- Keep the turtle in a dark, room-temperature environment away from people and pets. Place the turtle in a well-ventilated container, with a damp towel laid at the bottom, and position the turtle on top.
- Do not attempt to remove the hook. A wildlife rehabilitator will determine if the turtle can expel the hook on its own, or if medical intervention is required. Trying to remove it yourself may cause further harm.
- Avoid pulling on fishing line. If you see fishing line coming from the beak or even the cloaca/tail (sometimes it comes from here as they try to poop it out), do not pull the line! There could be a hook inside, and this could cause further damage.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the turtle. This helps prevent the spread of any potential contaminants.
By following these steps, you can ensure the safety and well-being of the hooked turtle. EVERY RESCUE COUNTS!
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