LowDown recently published an article entitled "Trapped Turtles". In this article, several false information were relayed. Since then, the Municipality has unfortunately been the victim of vandalism to tools put in place by our biologists to protect the turtles during work on chemin de la Rivière.
In addition to the significant monetary costs that must once again be paid to the contractor, this increases the risk of egg-laying on the roadside, and thus the risk of embryo, juvenile and adult turtle mortality. Moreover, if eggs are found in the construction zone, work will have to be stopped and postponed.
The exclusion barrier does not confine the turtles, but redirects them to the shoulders of the quarry road (perpendicular to the river road and adjacent to the wetland), or to the Voie verte, which is also adjacent to the wetland and contains suitable substrate for egg-laying.
This type of vandalism is a criminal offence. The police have been notified of the situation. Residents who have questions about the measures taken can contact our teams to find out more. We invite you to do so, as this is the best source of information.
Please note that you can report sightings (active nesting sites, turtle crossings in progress, road mortality) at any time by e-mail to environnement@chelsea.ca or via the carapace.ca website.
