Wildlife & Nature | Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula

The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula's vast natural environment, including extensive forests and lakes, provides the perfect habitat for many species of wildlife. Encounters with wildlife are bound to happen, so it is important to take action to reduce any potentially threatening encounters and to respect local wildlife.

The Municipality does not enforce or respond to calls regarding wildlife, including bears, raccoons, skunks or snakes. Please contact the Ministry 1-866-514-2327 or the OPP 1-888-310-1122 regarding bear sightings or threatening encounters.

Black Bears

In Ontario, black bears can range from black to cinnamon or brown in colour. All are considered black bears.

If you encounter a black bear:

Stop. Do not panic. Remain calm.

Generally, the noisier the bear is, the less dangerous it is, provided you do not approach. The noise is meant to “scare” you off and acts as a warning signal.

With careful management of your waste, you can reduce the chance of attracting bears to your property. Store waste and recyclables in a bear-resistant container, secure shed or garage. You are also encouraged to visit a Waste Disposal Site, especially if concerned about materials being left for collection overnight or for a number of hours.

The MNR implements the Bear Wise Program. This program provides information on preventing and reporting encounters with black bears. Please call 1-866-514-2327 (April 1-November 30) if a bear is:

roaming around, checking garbage cans
breaking into a shed where garbage or food is stored
in a tree
pulling down a bird feeder or knocking over a barbecue
moving through a backyard or field but is not lingering

Massasauga Rattlesnake

The Massasauga is a stout-bodied rattlesnake, usually about 50 to 70 centimetres long. It is Ontario’s only venomous snake, though it will only bite in self-defence if it is threatened or harassed. It has a triangular head and a tail that ends in a small rattle that creates a buzzing sound when the tail shakes. The body is grey to dark brown with darker brown "butterfly" or "saddle-shaped" blotches down the back, with alternating blotches along the sides. The Massasauga is the only Ontario snake with a vertical (cat-like) pupil.

The Massasauga is a shy species, and will only strike if threatened or provoked. In almost all cases, Massasaugas will choose to escape or hide rather than strike. The Massasauga’s venom is meant to immobilize its prey (usually small mammals), and is not meant for humans. If a Massasauga does bite a human, it will sometimes choose not to inject any venom at all.

If you are bitten by a Massasauga, you should always call 911, wash and cleanse the wound, and reduce movement until help arrives. Complications from Massasauga bites are rare.

Tips for hiking in rattlesnake country:

Wear shoes instead of sandals
Wear long pants
Stay on trails; do not step or reach into any crevices that you cannot see into.
If you spot a Massasauga, stay calm and do not approach it. Wait for the snake to move away from you, or adjust your route to avoid the snake.
Never chase, pick up, or harass any wildlife.
Keep pets on a leash.

Turtles

Two of the eight species of turtles that are native to Ontario can be found in the area: midland painted (Chrysemys picta) and common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina). All eight of Ontario’s turtle species are federally designated as species at risk due to road mortality, habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and nest predation.

More information can be found at: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/bruce/nature/conservation/rtr

Nesting Snapping Turtle and nest protector boxes

Installing a nest protector box

Releasing hatchling turtles back to wetland

Nesting Turtles

From late May to early July, female turtles emerge from wetlands and make their way to gravel areas, usually roadsides, to lay their eggs. Afterwards, the females return to the wetland, leaving their nest unprotected. When a nesting turtle (or recently created nest) is found, Turtle Tracker volunteers or Parks Canada staff place a nest protector box over top of the nest. This protects the fragile eggs from being eaten by predators such as raccoons and skunks. Once hatchlings have emerged in late summer and early fall, the nest boxes are removed.

Sometimes a nest is laid in an area where there is lots of traffic and where the hatchlings are at risk of being hit by cars when they emerge, like in a parking lot. In these cases where nests cannot be protected safely, the eggs are excavated and placed in an incubator in the Parks Canada lab. Once they hatch, the turtles are released in a wetland closest to where the eggs were previously laid.

Contact Parks Canada if:

Contact Parks Canada at R2R@pc.gc.ca

You have found a nest in the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula north of the Dyers Bay Road AND the nest is in a location that may pose a risk to people or turtle hatchlings, such as:
- On a road or a driveway (where a car could hit the box, or a box would interfere with road maintenance machinery)
- Surrounded by foot traffic, such as in the middle of a trail
- In a construction area
- On Highway 6
There are hazards that may inhibit the ability to safely install a nest protector.
You have any questions about turtle nest protection on the northern (Saugeen) Bruce Peninsula.
You see a turtle with a number written on its back. Please share the location/coordinates of the sighting and a picture if possible.

Additional Resources

Road Safety

If you choose to get out of your car to help a turtle or other animal, your safety is the number one priority.

Drive with Caution: Be vigilant while driving, especially in areas where turtles are known to cross roads. Slow down and watch for wildlife crossing signs, especially during the warmer months. Watch for pedestrians who may be assisting turtles.

Ensure Your Safety First: Before assisting a turtle, make sure it's safe for you to do so. Pull over to a safe location, turn on your hazard lights, and check for oncoming traffic.

Stay Visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night, to ensure you're visible to drivers. Remember other drivers may not see you.

Assess the Situation: Is there someone with you—get them to watch for traffic or hazards while you assist the species to safety.

Look Both Ways: Before crossing any road, remember the fundamental rule: look left, look right, then left again. Ensure there are no vehicles approaching from either direction.

Always wear gloves and disinfect hands after handling animals to prevent disease transmission. When moving a turtle across the road, always move it in the direction that it was going.

Injured Turtles

If you come across an injured turtle, contact the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre: 705-741-5000

Here is the link to their website if you’re interested in learning more: https://ontarioturtle.ca/

Get Involved: Turtle Trackers

The Turtle Trackers are a volunteer group that was formed through this project to contribute to turtle conservation by surveying for and protecting vulnerable nests.

Responsibilities include:

Look for nesting turtles at dawn and dusk.
Protect turtle nests with nest protector boxes.
Collect and report data about nesting turtles.
Join Parks Canada staff to release hatchlings from incubated nests back to their wetlands.

Time Commitment: Nesting season is from late May to early July. It is recommended to sign up for at least one weekly shift in the park. Morning shifts are 7-10am and evening shifts are 6-9pm. Participants can protect nests outside of the park at any time.

Who can participate: Anyone in the northern Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula from late May to early July. No prior knowledge or experience is required! Parks Canada staff will provide equipment, training materials and guidance to start protecting turtles.

Please contact r2r@pc.gc.ca if you are interested in participating in this community science program