Tiny and perfect, smaller than a twoonie, the baby turtle emerges from the nest along with his brothers and sisters. He crawls from the earth and takes his first glimpse of the sun and first breath of fresh air. Although he is essentially a newborn, his face is wrinkled, and already he looks ancient and wise.
Biologists David Stiles and Michelle Evelyn were thrilled to witness the success of this nest firsthand a nest they watched the mother turtle lay last June. Leaders of the Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project, Stiles and Evelyn have been working to conserve and enhance habitat for these endangered turtles and other threatened wildlife on the Sunshine Coast for the past three years. For the next two months, they will be monitoring known turtle nests to assess which ones have been successful.
Stiles and Evelyn are asking for assistance from residents to report their turtle sightings.
"We are so grateful for all the help we have received from community members," said Evelyn. "The first hatchling sighting we had this year came from landowners on Lily Lake who spotted a tiny baby turtle. If you live near a lake, keep your eyes open for hatchlings."
If you see one, Stiles and Evelyn urge you to call them at 604-989-1007. Private landowners living on turtle lakes might also want to join their turtle stewardship program.
View photos of turtle nests and hatchlings, report turtle sightings on-line, and learn more about the project and how you can get involved by visiting www.coastwildlife.ca.
The Wildlife Project is an initiative of the Iris Griffith Centre and the University of British Columbia Bio-diversity Research Centre and has received funding from the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species-at-Risk and the BC Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and donations from local businesses including West Coast Log Homes, Swanson's Ready-Mix and Indian Isle Construction.
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