Abandoned pets, vanishing habitat threaten native turtles

Abandoned aquarium pets are threatening the survival of an endangered native turtle species on southern Vancouver Island.

Alanah Nasadyk, the community and development coordinator for Habitat Acquisition Trust, said the group isworried about the future of western painted turtlesas the competition intensifies for food and habitat.

The "invaders" as Nasadykdescribesthem, are red-eared sliders, which are frequently released into lakes and streams where they grow to more than 30 centimetres.

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"They are not only being dropped off as abandoned pets but they are also able to reproduce here in our colder northern climate,"Nasadyksaid.

The first evidence of red-eared sliders reproducing in southern British Columbia was confirmedin Delta two years ago, confirming the conservationist's "greatest fear," she said.

Aside from competing for food, nesting and basking sites, thered-eared sliderscarry and transmit diseases including respiratory illness and salmonella.

Red-eared sliders are among the100 worst invaders recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Basking in Beacon Hill Park

Nasadyksaid it is easy to spotthe non-nativespecies. In Victoria's Beacon Hill Park, they can often be seenlined up and basking on a log.

"We really encourage people, if they can't take care of their pets any more, find a new home for them or just surrender them to a refuge," she said.

Meanwhile, the endangered freshwater turtles are competing with the invaders for a share of a shrinking habitat, as 80 per cent of the wetlands in the Victoria region have disappeared and nesting beaches are disturbed by dogs and human traffic.