Wood turtle research needs funding, Moncton group says

A Moncton group is working to save the threatened wood turtle, but saysfinding the elusive turtle can be almost as hard as finding funding for the research.

ChristineMcLauchlan, the executive director of thePetitcodiacWatershed Alliance, said there is a lack of information about the wood turtle in the area.

She said that is part of the problem when groups try to find ways to help the animals.

"And the issue with the wood turtle is that we don't know very much about their distribution or their numbers," McLauchlan said.

"And this is dangerous when we've got, you know, high levels of development happening in Moncton."

But, continuing studies without secure funding is difficult.

Non-profit groups, such as thePetitcodiacWatershed Alliance, have to wait until granting agencies decide what organizations are going to receive funding.

"Sometimes you might find out you've got money after the project had to have started," she said.

"So for the wood turtles, with this example, we have to be out looking for them before the grass gets too high to see them."

Courtney Smith, an environmental technician, is leading the only study of wood turtles in thePetitcodiacwatershed system.

She said wood turtles are threatened by loss of habitat and human behaviour.

"Years ago, people would take them in as pets or move them from their original habitat," said Smith.

"And where they are a slow-growing species, they only sexually mature at 15 years old. So removing only one or two from their habitat can severely diminish a population over time."

The turtles weigh about a kilogram eachand can grow up to 20 centimetres in length.

One captive turtle lived for almost 60 years, said Smith.

She said she is looking forward to getting back into the field to look for more wood turtles.

Last year they found only 11, but that hasn't dampened her spirits.

"It's actually a good thing we didn't find a lot because it means that they hide well," she said.

Smith said if anyone is lucky enough to find a wood turtle in the wild, the best thing to do is leave it alone.