The case of Léo, the snapping turtle

To put this in context...

Worldwide, turtle populations are in decline, and Quebec turtles are no exception. Currently, 7 of Quebec's 8 turtle species are officially designated “at risk” in the province or Canada. The many causes include habitat destruction and degradation, increased mortality along roadsides, excessive egg predation and illegal captivity...

To contribute to species recovery, strategies essentially involve protecting, restoring and creating habitats, as well as ensuring the longevity of breeding adults and reducing mortality in the youngest stages (eggs, newborns).

The case of Léo

Léo is an adult male snapping turtle who was found injured along a road in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle in August 2018. He was initially thought to have been hit by a car, but his injuries could also have been caused by a boat propeller. Leo was picked up and rushed to the University of Montreal's Centre hospitalier universitaire vétérinaire (CHUV) in Saint-Hyacinthe. After a medical examination, Léo was found to be suffering from a severe skull fracture and an open shell fracture. The initial prognosis was not very encouraging; Leo was lethargic, unresponsive to the point where we wondered if there had been a brain injury.

What's more, a CT scan revealed the presence of metallic foreign bodies in his flesh opposite his neck. All of which suggested that the turtle had been shot with a firearm in the past. The pellets, still palpable, are remnants of this aggression. Despite this, the veterinary team decided to treat Léo, firstly because the challenge was considerable, but also because it was an interesting case for the training of future vets. His wounds were cleaned and Léo was intubated with a gastric tube so that he could be assisted with feeding. His wounds did not allow him to eat naturally.

The team retrieves Léo

Éco-Nature | Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles recovered Léo on August 24, 2018, for his convalescence at the rehabilitation center for injured native turtles to get him back on his feet. In addition to feeding him specialized formula, his daily care included the administration of antibiotics, painkillers and anti-inflammatories to speed healing and reduce discomfort from injuries. On August 31, we found some droppings when cleaning out Léo's tank, and although this may seem like a small thing, it was an encouraging sign... at least his digestive system was working! Days followed, then weeks and months. Leo was still inactive and very unresponsive. It was hard to tell if he was improving. We didn't know if he would ever recover.

A successful intervention

Since rehabilitation aims to return the animal to the wild, it must be at least capable of feeding itself and moving around. We therefore decided to remove his feeding tube and see if he could eat on his own. Since turtles feed in water, the condition of his wounds made it possible to submerge him.

The procedure was carried out on October 8, 2018. He was then offered easy prey (small dead fish), which he ate! Then, small live fish that he managed to catch. We noticed that Léo was blind in his left eye, but that didn't stop him from hunting. From then on, slowly but surely, his condition improved, and he became increasingly mobile and responsive.

Awareness-raising and funding initiatives

Over the winter, Éco-Nature | Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles took the opportunity to raise public awareness of Léo's case and of turtle protection in Quebec. We even sold Christmas trees to finance part of the costs of care. Léo's case touched the hearts of many, who asked us for news of his recovery. With the immense support of the CHUV veterinary team, as well as the many hours of volunteer work by Dr. Jacques Dancosse, DMV, and the involvement of numerous specialists, Léo was discharged on June 7, 2019. He is now very active and no longer lets himself be handled so easily, typical of a snapping turtle. His latest medical examinations suggest that he's out of the woods and can finally return to nature! When people ask us about Léo, they're surprised to learn that he's still alive!

Léo has become a spokesperson for injured turtles, whether on the roads of Quebec or the water, but also for turtles who are victims of violent acts and persecution without any valid justification. There is a popular misconception that the snapping turtle is “dangerous”. Although they can bite, like any wild animal, it's important to remember that they prefer to avoid humans, who represent a real danger to them. Simply avoid handling turtles. What's more, the capture and keeping in captivity of Quebec turtles is illegal.

Quebec's turtles

Léo's situation is not an uncommon one. Every year in Quebec, a large number of turtles are found injured. The majority of these are not cared for, and for those that are, care requires considerable resources. These actions help to maintain local populations and provide excellent opportunities for training and awareness-raising. With Quebec's turtles at risk, Éco-Nature | Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles is one of the few places in the province where specimens can be cared for and rehabilitated so that they can return to the wild. It's just one of the many ways we can help.

Remember, when you do something at the Park, you're helping to protect the river's flora and fauna!

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The protection and conservation team