Signs on provincial beaches put in place to protect Island wildlife

If you walk around some of P.E.I.'s provincial beaches these days, you might come across awhite sign asking Islanders to keep theirdogs on a leash.

These signs have been put up in an effort toprotect piping plovers and other ground-nesting birds during the season.

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The signs are put up by a partnership of the Island Nature Trust and the provincial Environment Department. Shannon Mader, the species at risk coordinator with Island Nature Trust, saidthe crucial times to protect at-risk piping plovers begin in May and run as late as August.

"I don't think people really understand how many ground-nesting birds we do have and how easy it is for these nests and young to be trampled," said Mader.

Putting up the signs, she said, isa measure that is important for all wildlifeandfor nesting birds because when dogs roam around off leash they pose a threat to animals on land.

"We're really looking at protecting a nesting and endangered species,"Madersaid.

Having a dog off-leash in a signed area could bring a fine of $275.Some of the beaches with signs include Eglington, Lakeside, North Lake and Boughton Island.

The signs will remain up until the Island Nature Trust believes the birds have left.

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