Regina's slow-moving turtles surprisingly hard to count

The Western Painted Turtle is being tracked by radio transmitters in Wascana Marsh as part of a two year research project.

"Most people don't even realize there is a native species here in Wascana Marsh," said Kelsey Marchand, a masters student at the University of Regina.

They are very skittish because they just want to get away from predators.- Kelsey Marchand

Researchers capture the turtles and attach a radio transmitter to their shells. 
    
"We are kind of playing Marco Polo with the turtles," Marchand said.

By tracking the turtles, they hope to better understand the turtle's population size, habitats at different times of the year and factors that allow them to survive in Saskatchewan's extreme climate.

Tracking a turtle isn't easy. "They are very skittish because they just want to get away from predators so they can keep their energy resources," Marchand said.

The turtles have emerged from hibernation and are trying to save the energy that they stored in the fall. 

The research team has caught two turtles but is looking forward to catching more.

"Lots have their own little sort of characteristics," Marchand explained.

"Some are the grumpy turtles, some are the happy turtles that you find all the time, some will be Houdini — you'll find them in one spot one day and keep going back and try to find that turtle again but you just can't."

We want to make sure we are protecting and preserving those habitats, otherwise we may lose a species.- Kelsey Marchand

She said the research will not only help understand the Western Painted Turtle but also help conservation efforts.

"We want to make sure we are protecting and preserving those habitats, otherwise we may lose a species."

The Wascana Turtle Program is a partnership with the Saskatchewan Royal Museum, University of Regina and Friends of Wascana Marsh.

"We are excited … that they're here studying the turtles in the marsh and learning more about these charismatic reptiles," said Jared Clarke with Friends of Wascana Marsh.

Friends of Wascana Marsh has committed to fundraising $27,000 for the project, and the group has created the Adopt a Turtle program.

By donating $50, people will receive a photograph of their turtle along with a fact sheet.

For $150, people can not only adopt a turtle but also get a guided tour of Wascana Marsh with a turtle researcher.

Researchers ask for the public's help

Each turtle has a number painted on its back. People who see a numbered turtle can submit sightings to turtles@royalsaskmuseum.ca 

"One thing we ask is just leave them where they are — especially those with the transmitters — because we want to get the most natural movement patterns," Marchand said. 

If people see turtles in other parts of the province, they are asked to report their observations as well.