Gilfred The Turtle

Here is Gilfred from last year Jun 12th...

Any Turtle experts out there ? can you identify what kind of turtle Gilfred is ? perhaps a mud turtle ?

The common snapping turtle is noted for its belligerent disposition when out of the water, its powerful beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck (hence the specific name serpentina, meaning "snake-like"). In some areas, they are hunted very heavily for their meat, a popular ingredient in turtle soup. Snapping turtles have a life-history strategy characterized by high and variable mortality of embryos and hatchlings, delayed sexual maturity, extended adult longevity, and iteroparity (repeated reproductive events) with low reproductive success per reproductive event. Females, and presumably also males, in more northern populations mature later (at 15–20 years) and at a larger size than in more southern populations (about 12 years). Lifespan in the wild is poorly known, but long-term mark-recapture data from Algonquin Park in Ontario, Canada suggest a maximum age over 100 years.

How cool is it that the towns on board with protecting Gilfred the turtle that we all know and love , Hats of to the town Of Innisfil for supplying the turtle crossing signs and installing them right were thy should be , thank you .

Innisfil helps Gilfred the turtle cross the road


Innisfil Journal

By Rick Vanderlinde

When Gilfred crosses the road, it can take some time.



After all, she’s a snapping turtle.



Gilfred lives in the deep ditches and creeks along Gilford Road near Cook’s Bay. Every summer she makes her way to the soft, sandy shoulders of the road to lay her eggs.



It’s a ritual residents in the area have come to enjoy and respect. She’s become an unofficial mascot for the village.



At times, Gilfred wanders onto the road as she slowly plods her way to the other side, sometimes stopping in the middle to rest.



“I’ve seen some cars come close to killing her,” said Tiffanne Green, who lives near Gilfred’s nesting areas. “Some of the boaters who come down here fly along this road.”



To help make sure Gilfred isn’t run over, residents asked the Town of Innisfil to erect two turtle crossing signs. And earlier this month the town came through, placing the yellow signs, which include an image of a snapping turtle, on both sides of Gilford Road.



Pete Sikora, who named the turtle, was pleased and posted Gilfred’s story on his Cook’s Bay Fishing Board website to spread the happy news.



“This is a good news story. It’s a win, win for everyone, especially Gilfred,” Sikora said.



Sikora first met the snapping turtle eight years ago and has been keeping an eye on her ever since.



“Most people are really concerned. If they see her in the middle of the road, they will stop pick her up and put her back in the ditch,” he said. “I think she is getting pretty used to people.”

Green says she and other family members have given Gilfred a helping hand over the years.



“We’ll see her crossing the road and we will help her get across so she isn’t hit,” she says.



Like Sikora, Green is happy the town erected the turtle crossings signs to warn motorists Gilfred may be taking another stroll across Gilford Road.

Innisfil Journal

 www.simcoe.com/news-story/5812034-innisfil-helps-gilfred-the-turtle-cross-the-road/

On behalf of the board i emailed the town this morning and gave thanks for a job well dune .
At the same time i explained to customer service that i understand that parking at the Innisfil boat launch needs to be revamped , well here is the email.

This is what’s its all about , everyone feeling good about what’s been achieved when we work together , that being said the town may want to use the resources I can offer them free of charge .

As you know Innisfil Beach launch based on what im reading could use some new parking allocations for boaters and locals , might be a good idea to let the end users design a solution that will be acceptable to everyone .

Perhaps have a contest on who can come up with the preferred parking solution . I also understand a parking lot will be constructed at shore acers and Neilie . Please confirm , if that’s the case id like to be part of its design , thank you .

Will see what happens