After learning about a more than 20 year-old snapping turtle, named G, kept in an aquarium at the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) in Hamilton, Ontario, Zoocheck approached the RBG to find out whether or not they would be receptive to moving the turtle to more natural accommodation elsewhere. They were interested and had already been looking for somewhere to place the turtle but were finding placement opportunities to be few and far between.
From time to time, Zoocheck has learned of turtles like G throughout the province that were in similar circumstances. We began to look for placement opportunities for G, while keeping these other Ontario turtles in mind as well. Since many of these turtles are native to Ontario they are licensed by the Ontario government and are therefore not allowed to be released to the wild.
After an exhaustive search for turtle placement opportunities that could provide enhanced conditions for G and, hopefully in future, other turtles, Zoocheck found very little, so we decided to fund construction of a permanent holding facility. Our colleagues at Niagara Action for Animals (NAfA) in St. Catherines jumped in to help as well, so together we funded construction of a facility at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (AVWS), who had generously offered space and expertise.
G was just recently transferred to the AVWS and is now residing in his outdoor accommodation where he can bask in the sun, feel the rain, walk on the grass and do some of the other things turtles do. During the winter months G (now renamed Squeegee) will spend his time in a custom designed indoor space.
Facilitating the move of G (Squeegee) from the Royal Botanical Gardens to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary was a positive initiative for Zoocheck, Niagara Action for Animals, Aspen Valley, the Royal Botanical Gardens and, of course, for Squeegee. We look forward to working with the RBG in the future (more news on that soon) and we’ll be making every effort to help other turtles across the province so they can follow Squeegee in his footsteps.