Drivers beware! It's turtle crossing season, warns DuPage County forest preserve
DU PAGE COUNTY, Ill. (WGN) — It's been said that slow and steady wins the race, but expect leisurely-moving turtles to become more active in the summer months, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County warns.
Officials say turtles are on the move and are prone to more road sightings through October as they search for water, food, and mates. Turtles could cross roadways near lakes, ponds, and marshes, meaning drivers should look for the reptiles.
Forest Preserve District ecologist Dan Thompson reminded drivers that despite their hard shells, turtles are no match for moving vehicles.
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'Horns and flashing lights have no effect on them,' Thompson said. 'They aren't built for speed or evasive maneuvers, so they simply can't move faster or reverse course to get out of the way.'
Officials urged commuters to remain vigilant, adhere to posted speed limits and proper distance between vehicles, and to brake if they see a turtle on the road.
'Even one turtle lost to traffic can have ripple effects on the population,' Thompson said. 'Some females live for decades and lay hundreds of eggs. Losing her means losing generations.'
Anyone encountering an injured turtle should call the Forest Preserve District's DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center in Glen Ellyn at (630) 942-6200.
Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines
According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), in 2020, five of the state's 17 turtle species—the alligator snapping turtle, the spotted turtle, Blanding's turtle, the river cooter, and the yellow mud turtle—are considered endangered. The ornate box turtle and the smooth softshell are threatened species with a likelihood of becoming endangered.
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