Latest Posts
- The World’s Oldest Newt?
In 2017, I adopted a very old Japanese Fire-bellied Newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster). I was a little skeptical at first, when the previous owner of the newt, Marg Dalgarno, contacted me at the pet store where […] - Turtles of the Okanagan: Fact File
Introduction The Okanagan Valley is located in the South Interior of British Columbia. There are two species of turtle with populations in the region; Western Painted Turtles and Red-eared Sliders. Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta […]
Media Appearances
Okanagan Turtle Adoptions in the News
- Turtle nesting season is here (castanet.net)Western Painted Turtles from Kelowna, BC, on June 05, 2025 at 12:27 PM · iNaturalist Nesting season drawing to a close for western painted turtles in the Okanagan “They might seem prolific when you see […]
- What’s up with turtles in Kelowna? (kelowna10.com)Western Painted Turtle from Kelowna, BC on June 05, 2023 at 10:57 AM · iNaturalist “Western Painted Turtles have recently gained attention in Kelowna due to various issues affecting their population.” Read the full article […]
- Another Kelowna painted turtle-snatching incident prompts warning to leave species be (globalnews.ca)“The Conservation Officer Service is again reminding the public that like most native wildlife species in British Columbia, the western painted turtle is protected against harassment, killing or possession under the provincial Wildlife Act…” Read […]
- Slow down for turtles (castanet.net)“Keep your eyes peeled if you’re driving anywhere near a pond or wetland, especially this time of year. It’s turtle nesting season, and the Western Painted Turtle is at risk not just from loss of habitat, […]
- The (turtle) battle of Mill Lake (fvcurrent.com)“Two types of turtles call Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford home. One belongs there, and one does not. The western painted turtle is BC’s only native freshwater turtle. Seven or eight of them live in […]
- Case of the missing turtle (castanet.net)“Red-eared sliders are the most popular pet turtle breed, but are not native to the Okanagan. Somehow, one of them found its way into Kasugai Gardens and frequent visitors became attached to the turtle.” Read […]
- Okanagan Western Painted Turtles threatened by non-native species (globalnews.ca)Segment Featured in Global Okanagan News: “The Western painted turtle is indigenous to the Okanagan and is listed as ‘at-risk.’ The reptile’s threat is heightened when people release red-eared slider turtles and other non-native species into […]