iN PHOTOS: Western painted turtles popping up in ponds around Okanagan, Kamloops

It's mating season for western painted turtles. They're appearing in ponds and lakes in Kamloops and the Okanagan. With their brightly striped cheeks and orange mosaic designs on the undersides of their shells, the turtles are a beloved reptile for nature lovers and photographers. They are also an important part of wetland ecosystems, the only native turtle in the province blue listed, meaning they’re vulnerable to declining populations. Western painted turtles are at risk of getting squished by traffic https://infotel.ca/newsitem/threatened-turtles-on-their-way-to-lay-eggs-crushed-by-cars-in-kamloops-okanagan/it105357 as they make migratory journeys across roads to find mates and nesting sites. Studies have shown that a mere five per cent increase in annual mortality is enough to cause an entire turtle population to decline. READ MORE: Chip N' Dale: Rescued chipmunk babies in care of Kamloops wildlife health centre https://infotel.ca/newsitem/chip-n-dale-rescued-chipmunk-babies-in-care-of-kamloops-wildlife-health-centre/it109059 The conservancy agency encourages motorists to slow down https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/quebec/news/carapace-2024.html when they see a turtle on the road and make sure to safely steer around it. When helping a turtle cross the road move it in the direction it was going in and once you are done moving it, leave it be to avoid causing it stress. If you have photographs of pond life in your neck of the woods, send them to news@infonews.ca. mailto:news@infonews.ca To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie mailto:sainslie@infonews.ca  or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .