Endangered spiny softshell turtle gets protected habitat in Quebec's Eastern Townships

The Nature Conservancy of Canada acquired two hectares of land in the Eastern Townships to protect the habitat of the endangered spiny softshell turtle, the group announced Thursday.

It said the properties along the water in Pike River, Que.,about 70 kilometres southeast of Montreal, are close to one of the few known spiny softshell turtle egg-laying sites.

About 100 turtles were released into the wateron Thursday, joining more than 1,600 other turtles that have been reintroduced in the area since 2010.

Conservancy vice-president Jol Bonin said the newly protected land is critical for the future of the species that the federal government classified as endangered in 2005.

Quebec Environment Minister Benoit Charette said Thursday the provincial government gave the nature conservancy $40.1 million to help protect natural environments, and that part of that money went to purchase the two hectares of land.

"We are seeing another beautiful initiative that derives not only from the Quebec government through the projects, but also from the natural areas conservation program by the Canadian government,'' Charette said.

Lyne Bessette, federal Liberal member for the region, said the Canadian government wants to protect a quarter of Canada's land and oceans by 2025.

"It's important to take actions as fast as possible, for today and future generations,'' Bessette said.

One of the previous owners of the newly protected land in Pike River is David Gasser, whose family owned two dairy farms in the community. "We need to take care of the environment if we want it to take care of us,'' Gasser said.

Conservancy project coordinator Valrie Ren said a protected natural area offers a quieter place for turtles to grow safely.

She said that the spiny softshell turtles are slow to adapt, making it harder for them to survive in highly urbanized environments. It can take more than 12 years before a turtle's reproduction process begins, Ren said.

"This gives them a protected oasis where they can continue to survive, eat and live their turtle life,'' she said.