Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) and the Greater Vancouver Zoo are gearing up for our last Western Painted Turtle release! We have just finished the last preparatory stage with our remaining babies.
Once the baby turtles reach 30 grams they are ready to be microchipped and released. The microchip process is called ‘tagging’ and is fairly simple and quick; it is done after each turtle has been photographed, measured, and named. The microchip is very small and similar to the chip that you would put in your cat or dog. It is inserted under their skin using a needle, and to the turtle it feels similar to getting your ears pierced. After it’s inserted, it is scanned with a reader to make sure that it is working and can be found. The microchip is used to track the turtles to help monitoring efforts. The turtles then relax and eat to get big and strong before they are released into our wetlands.
Our upcoming release, and all the ones previous will be done at multiple locations in the Fraser Valley. Releasing them in multiple sites helps to increase the chances of success in population growth and strength. It is critical that we save this species as it is the last native species of freshwater turtle left in BC.
Video below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxZGDddQaGk
