Photo provided by SPWC
Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre is caring for 78 baby snapping turtles rescued from a Kingston construction site ahead of the winter.
The hatchlings were discovered during excavation for a development at 9 North St. in Kingston’s Inner Harbour. Turtles Kingston helped rescue the turtles before they were transferred to Sandy Pines for care.
The turtles are too young to survive in the wild through the winter and are expected to remain at the centre until May 2027, when they can return to the Inner Harbour.
Caring for the turtles will require about two hours of staff time each day, along with regular water quality checks. The estimated cost is $1,000 per turtle for seven to eight months, bringing the total to about $78,000.
The centre admits more than 6,000 injured, orphaned and displaced wild animals each year and relies on donations and fundraising to cover its costs.
Sandy Pines will hold its annual jewellery fundraiser Nov. 7 and 8 in Kingston at Crossroads United Church, followed by a Winter Wonderland Vendors Market in Napanee on Nov. 14.
