Strengthening species in our own backyard and around the world
Research, monitoring and protection of turtles, toads, frogs and fish
The Toronto Zoo undertakes many conservation and research projects locally, nationally and internationally for the benefit of threatened and endangered species. The projects are also a great way for the public to learn about species survival, reproduction and habitat preservation.
Blanding’s Turtles
For many years members of the amphibians and reptiles department have been studying and helping breed the Blanding’s turtle, a species at risk that is found in the Rouge Valley and throughout the southern Great Lakes region. “We’ve been watching their movements and where they lay their eggs so park managers know which areas to protect,” explains Bob Johnson, the Zoo’s Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians. Working with the federal and provincial governments, as well as Parks Canada, Johnson has overseen the collection and incubation of eggs and the raising of young turtles. “We release them after two years, when there is less danger of them being eaten by predators. We’re helping to strengthen the population so they can move out to other river systems,” he says. Historically, Toronto had lots of wetlands, but they have been drained for agriculture and urban development. One of the few places the turtles have found refuge is the Rouge Valley. “We are partnering with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority which is protecting and restoring wetland areas so the turtles can move between Lake Ontario and the Oak Ridges Moraine and into other GTA river valleys like the Don River,” says Johnson.
Adopt-A-Pond
Nature in urban areas is a passion for Johnson. “We may live in a city and region of more than 5 million but everybody is entitled to the wonder of nature and the joy of coming across a toad or turtle when they are out for a hike.” Hands-on experience is what he believes can lead to human behaviour change and survival of our local indigenous amphibians and reptiles. Every spring more than 1,000 people monitor and count frogs and turtles as part of the Zoo’s Adopt-A-Pond program. “Community volunteers document trends in population decline or growth and we send that information to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Toronto Field Naturalists so they know the status of the animals,” says Johnson. Other collaborative programs include the Turtle Island Conservation program with First Nations communities and the Healthy Waters Program which helps restore shorelines and manage wetlands. “Actions taken by a community can protect areas, maintain good water quality and attract wildlife. We are committed to engaging people with wildlife on the Zoo’s 700 acres. Communities and citizen scientists are important partners to help threatened wildlife and to keep common species common,” notes Johnson.
Massasauga Rattlesnakes
Andrew Lentini, Ph.D., curatorial keeper of amphibians and reptiles, has a thing for snakes. “My favorite is the Massasauga rat- tlesnake. They are a very special animal, part of Ontario’s natural heritage and a very misunderstood animal.” Lentini leads workshops educating the public about the shy, reclusive creatures. “If you see one in the wild, you should enjoy that encounter. I share some common sense instructions precautions such as don’t walk barefoot in the woods at night and don’t pick the snake up. You need to be very still and watch, stay away from it and eventually it will leave. It doesn’t want to be near you,” says Lentini.
Puerto Rican Crested Toads
Further afield, Lentini has been working to re-establish Puerto Rican crested toads on their home island. Thought to be extinct in the 1960s, a few toads were discovered in the 1980s. A breeding program was launched with a network of North American Zoos and by the late 1980s the captive population was around 200. “The Toronto Zoo has been restoring wetlands and building ponds for these toads in Puerto Rico. I’ve been down four or five times and it was exciting to meet other people committed to saving and protecting this species. When we started this there were fewer than 300 toads in the wild. It took 10 years of releases of Zoo born tadpoles and toadlets before they saw success. It is wonderful to see the toads in their ponds today,” says Lentini, who estimates the wild population is now around 3,000.
Madagascar Fish
Last year in Madagascar Tim McCaskie was with an international team that discovered four rare and endangered fish species. Reports suggest that more than 55 percent of the country’s native fish are in peril due to deforestation, river diversions, overfishing and invasive species. “It is amazing we found the fishes, but this is just the beginning. Now we have to create a species protection plan of action with the local villagers and biologists to ensure they are still around in 100 years,” said the Toronto Zoo wildlife care keeper. Four of the five native species found in their surveys were moved to an aquaculture facility in Madagascar where they will receive specialist care while species protection plans are formed. Already biologists at the facility in Madagascar are reporting breeding success from these fishes. Saving and protecting species takes many forms, involves individuals and teams and covers the world’s ecological systems. No matter where they are, however, their goals are ultimately the same: to achieve a healthy balance of life on mother earth.