July 2023 - Grace, the one-eyed, and oldest recorded female snapping turtle in Ontario’s Highlands was recently found- deceased. Her story began as a celebrated and recognized icon in the small village of Haliburton. The difficulty ensued in January 2022 when her hibernation site, an Environmentally Protected wetland was filled, in part due to a lack of local protections. Of all parts of a turtle's territory, it is the hibernation sites that they are most loyal to because of their unique features allowing for safe overwintering. The story culminated in Grace's remains being found but not where one would expect. Her bones were in an entirely different watershed, in a place and a time where Grace would not have ventured of her own volition. And after worldwide concern and over 125,000 signatures, the municipality and province are fumbling... Read more...