iN PHOTOS: Western painted turtles spotted sunning themselves in Kamloops, Okanagan

Western painted turtles can be seen in ponds and lakes in Kamloops and the Okanagan out basking in the spring sunshine.

Known for their red-tinted shells, and red and yellow streaked lower shells, the turtles are a beloved reptile to see and photograph.

The turtles are the only species native to British Columbia and are a blue listed species, meaning they’re vulnerable to declining populations.

“Turtles are an important part of wetland ecosystems,” Virginia Hudson, NCC manager of conservation planning and stewardship in British Columbia said in a recent interview with iNFOnews.ca.

“They play the role of the wetland janitor by helping keep wetlands clean and healthy by eating dead plants, insects and animals.”

In recent years, turtles making migratory journeys have been crushed by traffic in the Okanagan and efforts have been made to remind drivers to slow down in turtle crossing areas.

“Western painted turtles do happen to be among the more charming wetland creatures,” Hudson said. “It’s always uplifting to see a bunch of them sunning themselves on logs or swimming in the shallows. They are a great sign that our conservation efforts are working.”

If you have photos of western painted turtles you want to share, send them to news@infonews.ca.

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