Several Blanding's turtles have hatched at the Toronto Zoo, from eggs collected at nests located in potentially unsafe sites around the city.
In a statement, the zoo said the eggs were gathered from non-viable nests in locations including construction sites.
Blanding's turtles are considered a threatened species in Ontario, likely to become endangered if steps are not taken to address the factors that threaten their population. The most significant threats include loss of habitat, vehicles, and the raccoons and foxes that eat their eggs.
Eggs that are in danger of being crushed or eaten are collected by members of Parks Canada, the University of Toronto, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, then taken in by the zoo until they hatch.
The zoo said four clutches of turtle eggs hatched between July 29 and Aug. 3. When they are born, the loonie-sized hatchlings weigh about the same as two cubes of sugar. They can later grow to a length of approximately 22 centimetres, and an average weight of 1.3 kilograms.
"Currently these little guys are enjoying a tepid nursery tub full of leafy vegetation to hide under, and a nice warm basking site nearby," the zoo said.
"Many love to sleep under the driftwood near the basking light, while others can be always found floating tucked between layers of tasty kale leaves."
The turtles are looked after by zoo staff until they are big enough to be released into the wild. They will then be released into the wetlands of Rouge National Urban Park.
