Wildlife

Index

Injured Wildlife Hotline



Please use this map to reference parts of the lake when making a call

Injured Wildlife Hotlines


1. Echo Lake Wildlife Posse

  1. Primary contact is Rob Preisner at 416-823-1739
  2. If no answer then call 1st backup Rich Pearce at 705-204-2126
  3. If no answer then call 2nd backup Don Lawlor at 416-428-3000

2. Injured Turtle

  • Call Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 705-741-5000

3. Injured land or semi-aquatic mammal 

  • Call Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary at 705-644-4122

4. Injured bird

  • Call Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary at 705-286-1133

 5. Poaching or intentional harm to an animal

  • Call MNR 24/7 TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667  
  • Call the Echo Lake Wildlife Posse

6. MNR Bracebridge Office at 705-645-8747

2025 Wildlife Posse Members


  • Rob Preisner

  • Rich Pearce

  • Don Lawlor

  • Cheryl Francis

  • Eric McCormick

  • Laura Murray

  • Brenda Heino

What-to-do Scenarios


While driving, you hit a large mammal


1. Call 9-1-1 if:

  • There are any injuries to the driver or passenger(s) requiring immediate medical attention.
  • The animal is injured and could pose a public safety hazard.
  • The dead animal laying on that part of the road poses an immediate hazard for safe vehicular traffic.
2. If there are no significant injuries, the animal is dead & not posing a major traffic hazard, but damage to the vehicle is greater         than $2,000, then:

  •  Call the non-emergency OPP line at 1-888-310-1122 (required by provincial law).
  •  Call the MNR Bracebridge office at 705-645-8747
  •  Call the Township Roads Department at 705-635-2851
3. If the conditions are the same as in (2) but damage to the vehicle is expected to be less than $2,000, then:

  •  Calling either MNR office or Twp Roads Dept is required but calling both is recommended.
  •  Calling the OPP is not required but is recommended.


While fishing, you hook onto a loon


  1. Reel it in slowly - you do not want the hook to set in deeper or to have the line break

  2. To bring the loon out of the water, best to use a fish landing net.

  3. To de-hook/untangle the loon, best to have two people - one person to hold onto the loon and one person to remove the hook and fishing line

NOTES:

  1. DO NOT cut your fishing line if you hook onto a loon - it will not survive, and death will be a slow one by drowning or starvation.

  2. If you do not have a fish landing net, a towel, jacket, or blanket will do. Or pick up the loon directly (gloves are recommended).

  3. DO NOT lift the loon out of the water by the fishing line - it will only set the hook in deeper and increase the risk of the line breaking.

  4. While de-hooking, it is most important to keep the loon from flapping around. Wrapping it with a towel or using your gloved hands, hold the wings firmly against its back and brace the legs against its body. Eye protection is also recommended.

  5. Using barbless hooks and minimum 12lb test fishing line will very much increase the odds of a successful rescue. If a 12-16 lb monofilament fishing line is too heavy for your normal fishing activity, consider using braided fishing line instead - it will be thinner, lighter, and more sensitive than monofilament line of the same strength.

While fishing, you hook onto a snapping turtle


  1. Reel it in slowly - you do not want the hook to set in deeper or to have the line break.

  2. To bring the snapping turtle out of the water, best to use a fish landing net

  3. Call the Wildlife Posse or the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for help/advice. 

  4. If the hook or entangled line can be removed safely, two people are necessary to do the job:

    a. Wear thick leather gloves

    b.     DO NOT put your hands anywhere near the front ⅔’s of the turtle’s upper shell.

    c. One person holds the turtle in the “standard” pick up mode from its back half and the other person cuts away the tangle line       and removes the hook (if possible).

  5. If the hook is imbedded anywhere near its mouth, best to call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre and arrange for transport to their facility. The Wildlife Posse has transport tubs ready to use.

NOTES:


  1. DO NOT cut your fishing line if you hook onto a snapping turtle.  The turtle may survive but will not be able to eat and swim effectively. 

  2. DO NOT lift the turtle out of the water with the fishing line - it will only set the hook in deeper and increase the risk of the line breaking.

  3. DO NOT lift the turtle out of the water by its tail - this can cause serious permanent spinal damage to the turtle.

  4. DO NOT pick up any snapping turtle anywhere in the front ⅔’s of its upper shell - it will probably bite in self defense.

  5. If you do not have a fish landing net, you can get the turtle out of the water by using a paddle or by grabbing its upper shell from behind - one hand on either side of its tail (but do not pull on the tail).

  6. Using barbless hooks and a minimum 12-16 lb test fishing line will very much increase the odds of a successful rescue.  If a monofilament fishing line of this strength is too heavy for your normal fishing activity, consider using braided fishing line - it will be thinner, lighter, and more sensitive than monofilament line of the same strength.

You see someone poaching or intentionally harming an animal


  1. Call the MNR 24/7 TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667. It would be helpful to get photos or video if possible. 

  2. Contact the Wildlife Posse. They will make a direct call to the MNR Conservation Officer in Bracebridge.

  3. If it is someone you know and they (or their guests) are doing something reckless such as deliberately enticing a snapping turtle or seagull to bite at their fishing lure, you may consider asking to cease their activity.

You see a dead animal laying on top of or at the base of a hydro pole


This will usually be a small mammal (like a squirrel or racoon), or a bird

  1. Call Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235, and give them the Pole # for a reference.

  2. It is to their advantage to address this situation in order to avoid outages and equipment damage.  Hydro One can install protective coverup &/or animal deterrents on their poles/wires/devices in order to minimize wildlife electrocutions.

You see any injured animal


Example - injury from a motor vehicle/motor boat impact, a fishing accident, or a bird-window impact

1. Depending on the species involved, call either:
  • Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for an injured turtle
  • Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary for injured land or semi-aquatic mammals.
  • Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary for an injured bird.
2. Call the Wildlife Posse for help or advice.

Contact information can be found under "Injured Wildlife Hotlines"

You see a snapping turtle trying to cross the road


1. If you feel safe doing so, help the turtle to cross the road, making sure you end up pointing it in the same direction that it was         initially heading for.

2. There are 3 common methods to use:

       a. With gloves on, pick up the back end of the turtle and slide the other hand underneath its belly shell, carrying it like a dinner                  tray.  Use the other hand to help stabilize the lift, grabbing it by the tail area.

       b. Lift the back end of the turtle and slide it backwards onto a car mat or large square-mouth shovel.  Drag the mat/shovel                       across the road but make sure to turn the turtle around to the same direction that it was originally pointed at

      c. Pick up the back end of the turtle slightly with both hands and gently drag it backwards across the road, remembering to spin             it around in the right direction afterwards.

NOTES: 

  1. Gloves are recommended if you are using Method a -  the turtle may accidentally scratch you with its rear legs

  2. DO NOT pick up the turtle anywhere in the front ⅔’s of its upper shell - it will probably bite you in self defense.

  3. DO NOT pick up or drag the turtle by its tail - you can do serious permanent spinal damage to the turtle.

  4. The most likely time of year to see a snapping turtle trying to cross a road is in May and June (breeding and egg-laying).

You see a turtle laying eggs


(This will usually be in the month of June)

  1. If the nest is on private property, you can install a turtle nest protector (if the owner gives you permission).  The Wildlife Posse has two such units ready to use and will install it for you if desired.

  2. If the nest is on public property, technically you need permission from the MNR to install the turtle nest protector.
NOTES:

  1. Sometimes the female turtle will dig several test holes before actually laying her eggs.  Make sure you are certain where the eggs were deposited.

  2. It is important to install the nest protector within 24 hours of egg laying (preferably the same day) - the nests usually get robbed of their eggs very quickly.

  3. A healthy snapping turtle population is important for a healthy lake - they eat a lot of decayed plant and animal matter and this helps to keep the water clean.

  4. Contrary to some beliefs, snapping turtles do not attack swimmers - their first instinct would be to quickly swim away and hide.  They are aggressive only on land and only when they feel threatened (for instance, if you try to pick it up) - in this instance they may bite but they are only trying to defend themselves.

Animals with suspicious deaths


This would include, for example:

  1. Finding a dead loon or bald eagle with no apparent injury.

  2. Finding a large group of dead animals in one particular spot.
Best to call either:

   1. The MNR Bracebridge office

   2. The Wildlife Posse.

          They will then contact the MNR Conservation Officer in Bracebridge directly, and arrange for a necropsy if warranted.

NOTES:

  •  Contact information for the above can be found under “Injured Wildlife Hotlines”.
  •  This would not normally include obvious causes of death, such as road kill.

Proactive Initiatives

  1. Protecting loons

  2.  Protecting snapping turtles

  3.  Protecting forest birds

  4.  Protecting bald eagles and ospreys

  5.  Reducing fish mortality rate

  6. Controlling mosquitoes and black flies naturally

Protecting Loons

The top 3 loon killers are:

  1. Lead Poisoning (from lead sinkers and lead jigs)
    To eliminate this problem, get rid of your lead sinkers and lead jigs, and replace them with non-lead alternatives. Deposit your lead gear into the Echo Lake Collection Tube, located by the corner of Echo Lake Road and Hammond Road.

  2. Fishing line entanglement
    To mitigate this problem:
          a. Handle and dispose of your unwanted fishing line properly so it does not end up in the environment.  Deposit the fishing               line into the Echo Lake Collection Tube.
          b. While fishing if you accidentally hook onto anything (like a loon or a snapping turtle), DO NOT cut your line.
          c. Be mindful when you are casting out your line that there are no waterbirds (especially loons) present.  Loons can stay                  underwater for up to 5 minutes, so best to wait if you are unsure that a loon might be in your immediate area.

  3. Blunt force trauma (from motor boat impacts)
    To mitigate this problem, be a responsible boater:
          a. By provincial law, the maximum speed limit for a boat is 10 km/hr (6 mph) within 30 metres (100 feet) of the shore.                      Extending that maximum speed limit further out to say, 60 metres (200 feet), would be very helpful.
          b. Be vigilant when boating across open water - keep a constant lookout for water birds, semi-aquatic mammals,                                swimmers, floating logs, etc.

Protecting snapping turtles


The Top 3 causes of snapping turtle mortality are:

1. Habitat loss
This can be mitigated by keeping your shoreline in as natural condition as possible.  DO NOT dredge out weed beds or dump sand into the water trying to create an artificial beach.

2. Blunt force trauma (impact from motor vehicles).
This can be mitigated by:
  1.  Be extra vigilant while driving (especially during the months of May and June), keeping an eye out for a turtle trying to cross the road.  May and June is usually their breeding season and odds are higher to see them on the road at this time.
  2. If you see a turtle attempting to cross the road, help it across if you are comfortable doing so safely.  Contact the Wildlife Posse for help if needed.
3. Fishing bycatch.                
            To minimize the chances of accidentally hooking onto a snapping turtle, avoid fishing in those locations where they might typically be found. This would be most likely in places with all the following three conditions - within 5 metres (15’) of the shore, in shallow parts of the lake that have weeds and mucky bottoms, and where it is fairly well protected from high winds and waves. Also, before casting out a line, keep an eye out for a turtle’s head that might be poking out on the surface of the water.

Protecting Forest Birds


The Top 3 causes of bird mortality are:

1. Outdoor cats, which account for almost 75% of all bird deaths.
     To eliminate this problem, keep your cats inside or on a leash if it is left outside.

2. Window Strikes.
    This can be mitigated by applying material to the outside of your window panes.  A good source of information for this is:


 3. Power line electrocutions & Wind Turbines
     This can be mitigated by reporting to Hydro One whenever you see:

  •  Any animal attempting to make a nest on top of a Hydro pole, or on top of a Hydro transformer/crossarm/bracket.

  •  You see a dead animal on top of or at the base of a Hydro pole.

  • Hydro One has the capability to install either protective coverup &/or animal deterrents on their poles, wires, and devices.  Make sure you note the Pole # when reporting.   

Protecting Bald Eagles and Ospreys


The Top 3 causes for Bald Eagle mortality are:

1. Blunt force trauma (from motor vehicle impacts)
This can be mitigated by defensive driving, especially if there is already a dead animal carcass on the road.  And, if you feel safe and comfortable doing so, always move dead animal carcasses off to the side of the road so scavenger animals do not become the second accident victim. Use a stick or shovel to move the carcass - do not use your bare hands.

2. Electrocution & Wind Turbines
This can be mitigated by reporting to Hydro One whenever you see:

  • Any animal attempting to make a nest on top of a Hydro pole, or on top of a Hydro transformer,crossarm/bracket.

  • You see a dead animal on top of or at the base of a Hydro pole.
  • Hydro One has the capability to install either protective coverup &/or animal deterrents on their poles, wires, and devices.  Make sure you note the Pole # when reporting.

3. Lead poisoning (from lead sinkers and lead jigs)
To eliminate this problem, get rid of your lead sinkers and lead jigs, and replace them with non-lead alternatives.  Deposit                your lead gear into the Echo Lake Collection Tube, located at the corner of Echo Lake Road and Hammond Road.

NOTE:
Much of this information applies to ospreys as well.

Reducing fish mortality rate


Despite the best intentions from many anglers who practice “catch & release” fishing, the average mortality rate from this practice is still about 15%.
The cause of death is usually from the trauma of being caught in the first place.  The mortality rate can be reduced by:

  1.  Using barbless hooks
    This will minimize the amount of tissue damage while trying to remove the hook, and will reduce the amount of time to remove the hook. You can buy barbless hooks or remove the barbs on your existing hooks (snip/grind them off or pinch the barb back onto the main stem of the hook).

  2.  Reducing the amount of time that the fish is out of the water
    Along with dehooking, this also means using a minimal amount of time to take photos, and take weight/length measurements.

Controlling Mosquitoes and Black Flies naturally


This can be done by promoting healthy populations of those species which feed on mosquitoes and black flies, including:

1. Bats
To promote healthy bat populations, consider doing the following:
  •  Keep your property in as natural a state as possible.  This includes retaining the native plants and trees and (if they are not a safety hazard) leaving dead trees standing.
  •  Keep your cat(s) indoors.  Cats account for a significant % of bat deaths.
  •  Install a Bat House.  There are many reputable websites on how to build a bat nesting house and where best to install it.  A few examples are:
2. Dragonflies.
To promote healthy dragonfly populations, consider doing the following:
  1. Keep your property in as natural a state as possible, especially along your shoreline and in any wetland areas.
  2.  Do not use outdoor pesticides and outdoor bug zappers. The pesticides and the zappers are indiscriminate in that they will kill both the annoying insects and the beneficial insects.

Echo Lake wildlife programs


  1.  Collection Tube

    This PVC Collection Tube is located by the corner of Echo Lake Road and Hammond Road. Its purpose is to collect lead sinkers, lead jigs, unwanted fishing line, and unwanted artificial bait, so that these items do not end up in our lake environment. A reminder that lead poisoning is the #1 killer of loons.

  2.  Loon nesting platforms.

    We have two loon nesting platforms on the lake. These are used to (hopefully) increase the breeding success for the loons. They do so by providing nest protection from land predators (eg, racoons) and by providing safety from fluctuating water levels (which can wash away/drown the eggs).

  3. Turtle nest protectors.

    The Wildlife Posse has two Turtle Nest Protectors available for use. Go to “What-To-Do Scenarios” and then click onto “”You see a turtle laying eggs” for more information.

  4. Echo Lake Wildlife Posse

    This is a group of volunteers who can be called upon to help an animal in distress or suffering from an injury. Go to “    Injured Wildlife Hotlines” and to “2025 Wildlife Posse” for more information.
Search