A sustainable partnership that makes a difference
This important project aims at increasing the number of spiny softshell turtles and to study the only viable population of this threatened species in Quebec (in the Lake Champlain region).
Overview
Since 2009, 106 nests have been found and placed in the Zoo’s incubators. More than 1,700 newborns were released in the wild. A telemetry monitoring of the juveniles has been conducted since 2016. The protection and establishment of shoreline habitats, a school program and awareness-raising activities in the region have also been carried out. The Mikinak Turtle Festival was initiated in 2016.
Vision for the future
Monitoring egg-laying activities will go on until 2022, with the objective of returning 2,000 young turtles in nature. A new telemetry season will start in 2021. The various awareness raising activities and stewardships will continue as well with citizens, then within the context of a partnership agreement with Nature Conservancy Canada.
The Zoo de Granby is recognized by its peers throughout Canada
In 2014, the Zoo de Granby received the CAZA Col. G.D. Dailley Award for Ex-situ Species Propagation, for its program on the spiny softshell turtle.