NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – With nesting season now underway, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking drivers across the state to slow down and keep an eye out for turtles crossing roads, particularly near lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
Female turtles are on the move from late May through June, leaving the water in search of suitable spots to lay their eggs. That search frequently takes them across roads, putting them at serious risk.
Road mortality is one of the leading causes of turtle population decline in Wisconsin, according to the DNR, making the next several weeks a critical window for conservation.
What Drivers Can Do
The DNR is urging motorists to reduce speed and stay alert when traveling near wet or low-lying areas, where turtles are most likely to be on the move. Even a brief moment of inattention can have lasting consequences for local turtle populations, as females may take more than a decade to reach reproductive age, meaning the loss of even one adult can have an outsized impact on a species’ recovery.
Residents who spot turtles or discover active nesting areas are also encouraged to report those sightings to help the DNR track populations and prioritize conservation efforts statewide.
Leave Wild Turtles Wild
Officials are reminding the public that wild turtles should stay in the wild. Removing them from their natural habitat, even with good intentions, can disrupt nesting cycles and harm local populations.
If a turtle is spotted crossing a road and conditions are safe, the DNR says moving it to the side of the road in the direction it was already heading is the best way to help.
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