Problem Road Crossings for Turtles – Wisconsin Citizen Science

Citizens of Wisconsin are being asked to submit information about problematic road crossings for turtles to either WDNR conservation biologist Andrew Badje 608-785-9472 or Rori Paloski 608-264-6040.  Or you can register sightings directly on-line which includes an opportunity to upload photos of turtles you’ve sighted — dead or alive.

The spring breeding season for Wisconsin turtle species runs approximately May through July and WDNR biologists are asking citizens to submit their observations of where turtles are crossing roads, as well as where they’re seeing turtle that have been killed.

According to WDNR, “all Wisconsin turtles lay their eggs in nests in uplands, and female turtles getting run over while trying to cross to nesting areas is considered one of the leading causes of declining turtle numbers in Wisconsin.

The loss of even one adult female turtle can have a large effect on future population numbers, especially in isolated populations or in species like the wood turtle that can take from 12 to 20 years to reach reproductive age.”

For more information about Wisconsin turtles or to report turtle crossings, search online for “Wisconsin Turtle Conservation Program Website.”

Citizen scientist information submitted about turtles crossing a stretch of Highway 66 in Portage County led to measures being incorporated into a resurfacing project this summer that allow turtles to safely cross from a wetland on the north side of the highway to the south side where they lay their eggs.