Conservation group pushes for ban on turtle hunt

A conservation group says it's shocked that Ontario refuses to ban hunting on snapping turtles.

Ontario Nature submitted a petition to the provincial government signed by 11,000 people calling for an end to the hunt.

John Urquhart, a conservation science manager with Ontario Nature, said fewer than seven of 10,000 snapping turtle eggs reaches adulthood, so every single turtle is crucial to the continuation of the species.

If they do survive, Urquhart said they can live longer than most humans.

"For a creature to have been walking around since before the first world war to be killed, whether its on a road or by hunting or habitat loss, it's just a shame," Urquhart said.

Snapping turtles are listed as a species of special concern under Ontario's Endangered Species Act.

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle said the province is protecting snapping turtles and listening to hunters in the province.

"It's the challenge to find the balance between acknowledging the desires of the hunting and fishing public and making sure we make the right decisions related to protections of our species," Gravelle said.

He noted, however, the ministry is now starting to track the number of snapping turtles killed by hunters and the government will use the data to continue to monitor the health of the population.