{
  "id": 13004643,
  "title": "Toronto advocacy group warns about temperature changes affecting local turtles",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/toronto-advocacy-group-warns-about-temperature-changes-affecting",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-09T00:18:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/10/08/toronto-advocacy-group-warns-about-temperature-changes-affecting-local-turtles/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Toronto advocacy group, Turtle Protectors, has issued a warning regarding the impact of temperature changes on local turtle populations. The organization explained that fluctuating weather patterns can disorient turtles, causing them to venture onto land where they may become injured or lost. This warning emerged after the group received a call on Wednesday about a large adult male snapping turtle in High Park that had left its pond and was seen attempting to cross a fence. Turtle Protectors' co-founder, Carolynne Crawley, stated that this is a common occurrence this time of year as turtles begin to enter brumation, a state of hibernation similar to that of bears. Turtles often leave their wetlands to seek out winter habitats by burying themselves in the mud at the bottom of their ponds. Crawley noted that this particular turtle, affectionately known as Mick Jagger, has been previously examined and deemed healthy; however, they are now concerned about his recent actions, especially considering the dramatic temperature swings experienced in the area over the past week, including warm daytime temperatures followed by frost advisories at night. The turtle's age, approximately 80 years old, underscores the turtle's species' vulnerability, as it typically takes about 60 years for a new adult turtle to replace an existing one. Crawley urged anyone encountering a similar situation to call the group's hotline for assistance.",
  "summary": "A Toronto group dedicated to protecting turtles is keeping a closer eye on the reptiles, explaining how they can get disoriented at this time of year",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}