Watch out for crossing turtles: researcher

Vulnerableturtlesare currently migrating in New Brunswick, and are getting run over by cars while trying to cross roads.

Melissa Landry, who is researching turtlesas part of her studies at St. Mary's University in Halifax, says there are a lot of wood turtles trying to cross New Brunswick's roads and highways, and not all of them are making it across safely.

"It's something that happens quite a bit, especially in the spring, 'cause that's when they're migrating to lay their eggs," said Landry.

She also noted that the turtles' habitat is shrinking.

Landry has recently found three turtles that have been run over by cars near her home in Geary, outside Fredericton.

The turtles grow to 15 to 20 centimetres long,are found only in North America, and are considered likely to become an endangered species unless the circumstances threatening its survival improve, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Landry says when possible, motorists should stop and move the turtles off the road, preferably in the direction the turtle was headed.