SOARR Marks 2025 Achievements and Launches Its 33rd Year
Our modern world often results in most of us being inundated with a constant barrage of information, responsibilities, and pressures, so it is often hard to stay focused on a single thing. Sometimes that means that we lose sight of the threats to our environment, and the wildlife within it. This is why groups and organizations that focus on wildlife conservation must stay consistent in their approach, frequently communicate their findings, and be creative in their strategies. Very few wildlife protection programs are able to last over the long-term, though the Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR) program has endured. 听
After 32+ years, we are proud to be one of the longest running and most successful reptile research and recovery programs in Canada. Our research studies include some of the largest remaining at-risk reptile populations in North America. Similarly, we incubate and release more endangered freshwater turtles than any other program of its kind in North America. Pretty good for a grassroots, local effort to study and protect reptiles!听
Spiny Softshell Turtle
Reptiles have many obstacles to overcome,听though听we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. Our reptile recovery efforts ensure increasingly successful听results for听a number of听species, especially the endangered Spiny Softshell Turtle. For the first time in听likely the听past 100 years,听or more, the听Spiny Softshell听Turtle population听along听the Thames River is starting to increase, after many decades of decline. The formerly aging population of adults has now been revitalized听due to our听efforts,听with all age classes of softshell turtles听now swimming these waters听again, some of which are nesting for the first time听as young adults.听听
Additionally, we are positively impacting a number of other species, as well as influencing our local communities. We work and partner with many dedicated and caring organizations and individuals that not only increase our reach, but increase our impact. Our dedicated team makes a difference on the ground, but many others assist through donations, citizen science, volunteering, contacting elected officials, creating habitat on their properties, and so much more.听听
We have had a large impact, but the scale of threats facing these animals is immense and the difficulty in finding funding is a constant battle. We will continue to recruit passionate staff and volunteers, think outside of the box, and be a voice for reptiles in southern Ontario. SOARR begins its 33rd year in 2026, but we wanted to have a look back at our tremendous success in 2025.鈥�听
2025鈥� SOARR鈥疪esults Overview
- A total of 13,170 hatchling turtles and snakes emerged in our lab, from hundreds of nests, of six different turtle species and one snake species.鈥� Of those 13,170 hatchlings, over 5,000 were endangered Spiny Softshell Turtles from the Thames River.听
- We also conducted research at multiple sites, and assessed, measured, weighed, and/or marked over 1,000 at-risk turtles and snakes in the wild, including Spiny Softshell Turtle (Endangered), Spotted Turtle (Endangered), Blanding’s Turtle (Endangered/Threatened), Northern Map Turtle (Special Concern), Snapping Turtle, Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Threatened), Queensnake (Endangered), and others.鈥�听
- We created or rehabilitated 26 turtle nesting sites, put in wildlife exclusion fencing to keep animals safe from roads, removed invasive plants, planted native plants, removed garbage from sensitive sites, created brush piles, and installed various types of other habitat features throughout the watershed.听
- Our partners included Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Thames Talbot Land Trust, Dorchester Mill Pond Committee members (especially Ruth John, Mike John, and Stephanie Stevenson-Walker), Conservation Authorities: SCRCA, KCCA, ABCA, CCCA, multiple community champions (especially Lynda McCallum, Andrea McCallum, and Susan Padick), and so many other folks from near and far. 听
- Funding was graciously provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada鈥檚 Habitat Stewardship Program for Species At Risk and their Priority Place Program, the City of London Ecology Department (also a thank you to city staff who assisted in some of our field work), AISIN Canada (who have been dedicated to our efforts for years through both funding and providing staff for fieldwork), the ever generous Karen and Eric Auzins, London Community Foundation, ZooCheck Canada, Canada Summer Jobs program, Bear and Fox Apparel, Huron Stewardship Council, multiple small businesses, schools and so many concerned Canadians that have donated from across the country. We could not do this work without everyone involved.听
A special thanks goes out to countless UTRCA staff and Board members for making this work possible, especially when turtles are hatching in the lab. Your interest, passion, and selflessness made such a big difference and we can鈥檛 thank you enough.
An extra special thank you goes out to Karlee, Aliena, Matthew, and the Education Team; Cole, Hailey and the ESA Team; and Amy Bumbacco and Tracy Annett for going above and beyond to assist with or highlight our efforts. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes caring staff to care for over 13,000 hatchling turtles!听
Scott Gillingwater
