In the past few years I have been taking in unwanted Red-earred Sliders. I would prefer to do this than having them dumped into our streams and creeks where they can spread disease and upset the eco-balance of our own native species.
Red-earred Sliders are the mainstay of the pet trade in Canada but are really native to Florida. They have adapted well to our climate and now hibernate and are reproducing.
These turtles can live up to 25-30 years and can grow to the size of 10-12 inches and weigh up to 6 lbs.
One of the many reasons why they should not be released into the wild is because they are a very aggressive turtle that completes with our own native species for food and space--displacing our own native turtles.
The Ontario Turtle and Tortoise Society is one group that works at recapturing the Red-earred Sliders and placing them in private ponds.
Another program that Turtle Haven will be working on this summer along with members of the Turtle Society is setting up a volunteer network for the 'Egg-Recovery Program' . Volunteers would monitor roadways for turtle roadkill and notify myself or someone from the Turtle Society to retrieve the eggs for incubation.
Another goal of mine is to establish a turtle treatment center for injured turtles and tortoises. Also I would like to setup breeding programs for endangered and threatened species. We certainly know they are in trouble.
So have a look around at my site and drop me a line.
