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In: Green Gavel, Wildlife

An Ohio man who admitted fatally shooting a bald eagle will be banned from hunting for five years and has agreed to pay $20,000 as part of his sentence. Half the money will go to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a nonprofit funder of conservation projects, as restitution. The other $10,000 is a fine.

The post Ohio man pleads guilty to illegally shooting bald eagle first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/08/01/ohio-man-pleads-guilty-to-illegally-shooting-bald-eagle/

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In: Michigan, Wildlife

Michigan’s only venomous snake, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, has been suspected or proven responsible for at least 75 bites reported in the state from 2003 through 2020, according to the most comprehensive tally ever of such incidents.

The post Largest tally of snakebites in Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/27/largest-tally-of-snakebites-in-michigan/

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In: fish, Great Lakes, water test, Wildlife

Since the early 2000s fewer young whitefish have been making it to adulthood. Understanding the decline of lake whitefish recruitment is important for fishery managers and regulators as they approach the deadline to update a 2000 consent decree that regulates recreational and commercial fishing in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. 

The post Water test: One fish, two fish – where are all the whitefish? first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/23/water-test-one-fish-two-fish-wheres-all-the-whitefish/

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In: fish, Great Lakes, water, water test, Wildlife

The food web in lakes Michigan and Huron has changed in ways that jeopardize age-old fishing traditions and raise questions about how we’ve managed them. Now negotiators are updating a legal settlement that spells out where and how much lake whitefish and lake trout can be harvested. 

The post Water test: Rending the Great Lakes food web first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/20/water-test-rending-the-great-lakes-food-web/

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In: birds, TikTok, Wildlife

In our newest TikTok, Echo reporter Genevieve Fox talks about this year's bird flu outbreak and gives a tutorial on how to clean your birdfeeder. 

The post Clean your birdfeeder right now: TikTok edition first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/17/clean-your-birdfeeder-right-now-tiktok-edition/

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In: Wildlife

For the first time, scientists have documented an adult wolf killing red fox kits in their den. The event occurred in Isle Royale National Park, where researchers found evidence that an adult male wolf known as 016M attacked the kits, killing and possibly feeding on at least two of them – and possibly also killing a third littermate.

The post Rare wolf attack on baby foxes found on Isle Royale first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/13/rare-wolf-attack-on-baby-foxes-found-on-isle-royale/

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On:
In: Michigan, Recreation, Wildlife

Starting this year, hunters in Michigan will have to report their deer harvest online. Wildlife officials presented the plan to the state Natural Resources Commission and said online reporting will provide more accurate information about what kinds of deer are being taken and provide it more quickly.

The post Deer kill count moves online first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/07/deer-kill-count-moves-online/

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In: Detroit, detroit river, Feature Homepage, fish, Fish, Birds and Animals, Forests and Plants, Habitat Restoration, History and Culture, John Hartig, lake erie, Lake Huron, Latest News, Michigan, News, plants, Recreation and Tourism, Science, Technology, Research, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wildlife
Great Lakes Moment: Rewilding Metropolitan Detroit

Great Lakes Moment is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor John Hartig. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.

The practice of rewilding is frequently carried out in wilderness areas, but cities like Detroit are beginning to reintroduce native species of plants and animals to enhance biodiversity and reap all the benefits of making nature part of everyday urban life.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/great-lakes-moment-rewilding-metropolitan-detroit/

John Hartig

On:
In: Commentary, Wildlife

All through the spring, baby fish hatch and laze in the sun-warmed shallows, bird chicks take their first wobbly flights, bunnies get their first taste of the greens in my garden and seedlings sprout and reach for the sky. And then they die.

The post June: The Cruelest Month? first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/03/june-the-cruelest-month/

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On:
In: invasive species, water, Wildlife

European frogbit, an invasive species, has been documented in Wisconsin, where it could threaten native plants, fish and invertebrates. The small, green, heart-shaped lily pad, forms dense mats along the surface of the water, blocking out sunlight that submergent plants need to survive.

The post Rising water makes Lake Michigan wetlands vulnerable to invaders first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/05/31/rising-water-makes-lake-michigan-wetlands-vulnerable-to-invaders/

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On:
In: Echo, invasive species, Wildlife

For the first time, Asian jumping worms were found in Ontario in March. The discovery of the invasive worms follows sightings in all Great Lakes states except for Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York. Removal of invasive species once they are established is extremely difficult, making prevention essential.

The post Ontario jumping worm invasion threatens to leap borders first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/05/13/ontario-jumping-worm-invasion-threatens-to-leap-borders/

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On:
In: Commentary, Recreation, Wildlife

Academic research increasingly documents how interaction with green space has a positive impact on mental health. But not everybody has access to quality green space.

The post Commentary: A green outlook on mental health is a privilege not all can access first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/05/11/commentary-a-green-outlook-on-mental-health-is-a-privilege-not-all-can-access/

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On:
In: Commentary, fish, invasive species, Wildlife

May is a good time to look for sunfish nests. The sunfish family includes some of Michigan’s most popular sport fish: largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegills, pumpkinseeds, crappies, rock bass and others. They are also among the world’s worst invasive fish species.

The post May: Good fish, fun fish, bad fish, sunfish first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/05/06/may-good-fish-fun-fish-bad-fish-sunfish/

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On:
In: detroit river, Fish, Birds and Animals, Habitat Restoration, John Hartig, lake erie, Latest News, Michigan, News, Ohio, Ontario, otters, Protect, Research, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, watershed, Wildlife
River otters return to the Detroit River

On the cool morning of April 25, doctoral student Eric Ste Marie from the University of Windsor’s department of integrative biology went out for a walk with his partner along the Detroit River prior to an anticipated long day in his lab. Much to his surprise, he saw an animal pop its head out of the water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/river-otters-detroit-river/

John Hartig

On:
In: AP, canada, Climate change, Fish, Birds and Animals, habitat, Habitat Restoration, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Science, Technology, Research, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, Wildlife
Canada lynx protections deal sealed by US, environmentalists

By Matthew Brown, Associated Press

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. wildlife officials have agreed to craft a new habitat plan for the snow-loving Canada lynx that could include more land in Colorado and other western states where the rare animals would be protected, according to a legal agreement made public Tuesday.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/ap-canada-lynx-protections-deal/

The Associated Press

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In: Fish, Birds and Animals, Forests and Plants, History and Culture, Latest News, natural resources, nature, News, Recreation and Tourism, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, The Catch, Wildlife
The Catch: Interlochen Public Radio podcast finds ‘[Un]Natural Selection’ in nature

Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.

Turns out what used to be natural selection is becoming a bit unnatural.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/the-catch-unnatural-selection/

GLN Editor

On:
In: Commentary, fish, Wildlife

Animal migrations are among nature’s most stirring spectacles. So why do so few of us know about spectacular migrations that happen every spring, right in our own back yards? Because these are migrations of fish, out of sight beneath the surfaces of our rivers and streams.

The post April: Hidden Migrations first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/04/01/april-hidden-migrations/

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On:
In: Michigan, Wildlife

After a four-year hiatus, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has revived its popular Facebook series “IdentiFriday.” IdentiFriday asks participants to guess the species of a plant or animal based on a small portion of a picture each Friday. The correct answer is then posted with the full photo later in the day.

The post DNR keeps people guessing on social media first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/31/dnr-keeps-people-guessing-on-social-media/

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In: Feature Homepage, Fish, Birds and Animals, Forests and Plants, Latest News, News, Ohio, plants, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Wildlife
Lost and found: native aquatic plant in Ohio

This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.

By Shelby Frink, Great Lakes Echo

A scientist may have found a native aquatic plant in Ohio that was once thought to be wiped out in the state.

The watermilfoil species has not been seen in Ohio in at least 20 years, said Mark Warman, the scientist who found the plant on private property last September after his friend posted photos on the social network iNaturalist.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/native-aquatic-plant-ohio/

Great Lakes Echo

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In: Feature Homepage, Fish, Birds and Animals, Forests and Plants, Latest News, News, Ohio, plants, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Wildlife
Lost and found: native aquatic plant in Ohio

This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.

By Shelby Frink, Great Lakes Echo

A scientist may have found a native aquatic plant in Ohio that was once thought to be wiped out in the state.

The watermilfoil species has not been seen in Ohio in at least 20 years, said Mark Warman, the scientist who found the plant on private property last September after his friend posted photos on the social network iNaturalist.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/native-aquatic-plant-ohio/

Great Lakes Echo

On:
In: fish, invasive species, water, Wildlife

Great Lakes invasive species cling to shipments and navigate canals to migrate, but one aquatic invader - sea lamprey - benefitted from border closures instead. During 2020, 93 Great Lakes tributaries and 11 standing bodies of water were scheduled for chemical treatments for lamprey, but only 26 tributaries and six standing bodies of water were completed.

The post The pandemic that closed the U.S./Canadian border to people may have opened it to the invasive sea lamprey first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/21/the-pandemic-that-closed-the-u-s-canadian-border-to-people-may-have-opened-it-to-the-invasive-sea-lamprey/

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On:
In: fish, water, Wildlife

A new project hopes to find the best design for an incubator to produce the fish that hasn’t been in Michigan waters since 1936. It is part of a multi-step effort by the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative, a collaboration of more than 40 partners to make the fish self-sustaining in the Great Lakes.

The post Streamside incubator could help restore grayling to Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/16/streamside-incubator-could-help-restore-grayling-to-michigan/

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In: Endangered wildlife, Wildlife

Ultrasonic acoustic detectors are being used to detect and identify the northern flying squirrel that is endangered in Pennsylvania.

The post High tech surveillance tracks endangered flying squirrels first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/15/high-tech-surveillance-tracks-endangered-flying-squirrels/

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On:
In: invasive species, Ohio, plants, water, Wildlife

A scientist may have found a native aquatic plant in Ohio that was once thought to be wiped out in the state. The watermilfoil species has not been seen in Ohio in at least 20 years.

The post Lost and found: native aquatic plant in Ohio first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/10/lost-and-found-native-aquatic-plant-in-ohio/

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In: bald eagle, birds, Detroit, detroit river, Feature Homepage, Fish, Birds and Animals, John Hartig, Latest News, Michigan, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Science, Technology, Research, Wildlife
Great Lakes Moment: Dozens of bald eagles overwinter in Detroit

Great Lakes Moment is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor John Hartig. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.

It was a mid-winter day, and I was driving to my Downriver home from a meeting in Detroit.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/great-lakes-moment-bald-eagles-detroit/

John Hartig

On:
In: invasive species, Wildlife

The bothersome gypsy moth will now be known as the spongy moth. The Entomological Society of America made the change because the word “gypsy” is considered a derogatory slur against the Romani people. The word was dropped from its list of common names last July and the new name was just announced.

The post Invasive species now called spongy moth first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/07/2147874/

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In: AP, Fish, Birds and Animals, Habitat Restoration, Hunting, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Recreational Hunting and Fishing, Wildlife, wolves
Judge restores protections for gray wolves across much of US

By Matthew Brown and John Flesher, Associated Press

BILLINGS, Mont (AP) — A judge restored federal protections for gray wolves across much of the U.S. on Thursday, after their removal in the waning days of the Trump administration exposed the predators to hunting that critics said would undermine their rebound from widespread extermination early last century.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/02/ap-judge-protections-gray-wolves/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Endangered wildlife, water, Wildlife

In a small back room of an aquarium in a Michigan suburban mall lies a tank of endangered corals native to places more than a thousand miles away.

The post Suburban Michigan aquarium an ark for Florida corals first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/09/suburban-michigan-aquarium-an-ark-for-florida-corals/

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In: detroit river, ducks unlimited, Feature Homepage, Fish, Birds and Animals, John Hartig, Lake St. Clair, Latest News, Michigan, News, Science, Technology, Research, Wildlife
Great Lakes Moment: Overwintering ducks on the Detroit River create a sense of wonder

The lower Detroit River is a unique urban refugium where the tapestry of life has been woven with elegance, where the music of life has been rehearsed to perfection for thousands of years, where nature’s colors are most vibrant and engaging, where time is measured in seasons, and where the canvasback race across the water takes center stage.  

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/02/great-lakes-moment-ducks-detroit-river/

John Hartig

On:
In: Great Lakes Now's Year-End Posts, Lake Huron, Latest News, Michigan, News, outdoor recreation, Recreation and Tourism, upper peninsula, Wildlife
Year in Review 2021: The two-beer bear and other Lake Huron canine adventures

Walking my 90-pound shepherd a few days after Christmas in our suburban neighborhood, the jangling bell on his collar seemed a festive touch, one of the neighbors told us. 

But it was more of a reminder of our August trip to Drummond Island than some holiday décor.  

My 11-day summer vacation this year involved throwing my dog, some swimsuits and a lot of sunscreen in my car and heading up to visit generous friends with houses along Grand Lake (north of Alpena) and Lake Huron.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/12/year-in-review-2021-canine-adventures/

Sandra Svoboda

On:
In: Art, Wildlife

John Vucetich has studied wolves and moose for over 20 years on the pristine, isolated island in Lake Superior. He leads the island National Park’s wolf-moose project.

The post Ecologist ponders fairness to wildlife and the thoughts of moose first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/21/ecologist-ponders-fairness-to-wildlife-and-the-thoughts-of-moose/

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On:
In: Hunting, Wildlife

Efforts by politicians to create a hunting season for eastern sandhill cranes in both Wisconsin and Michigan are stirring debates among hunters, farmers and birders.

The post Proposed eastern sandhill cranes hunt in breeding states stirs controversy first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/15/proposed-eastern-sandhill-cranes-hunt-in-breeding-states-stirs-controversy/

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On:
In: Invaders, invasive species, Wildlife

Grants are available to buy removal supplies, like sponges and towels, or host events teaching boaters how to properly clean off invasive species, according to a Department of Natural Resources press release.

The post Grant program repels Great Lakes invaders first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/07/grant-program-repels-great-lakes-invaders/

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On:
In: Law, Wildlife

An Amherst, N.Y., man has received an 18-month prison sentence for trafficking exotic African cats, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Buffalo.

The post New York man imprisoned for trafficking African wild cats first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/01/new-york-man-imprisoned-for-trafficking-african-wild-cats/

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In: Wildlife

Central Michigan University researchers have discovered unexpected populations of native mussels in the Detroit River, an area that hasn’t been searched for the mollusks since 1998.

The post Researchers investigate native mussels in Detroit River for first time since 1990s first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/25/researchers-investigate-native-mussels-in-detroit-river-for-first-time-since-1990s/

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On:
In: Invaders, invasive species, Wildlife

Behavior-altering chemicals produced by sea lamprey may decrease the invaders’ populations in the Great Lakes.

The post Chemical sex attraction may curb invasive sea lamprey, new study says first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/17/chemical-sex-attraction-may-curb-invasive-sea-lamprey-new-study-says/

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On:
In: birds, disease, Wildlife

Ring-billed gulls travel between populated beaches and human waste sites like landfills and water treatment plants, carrying human pathogens with them.

The post Beach-dwelling gulls are vehicles for bacteria first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/12/beach-dwelling-gulls-are-vehicles-for-bacteria/

Guest Contributor

On:
In: girds, Law, Wildlife

Fewer Michigan residents with sloppy backyard birds could be ticketed for potentially spreading disease among deer and elk under a bill the state Senate recently sent to the governor’s desk.

The post Backyard birders get a win in the Michigan legislature first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/06/backyard-birders-get-a-win-in-the-michigan-legislature/

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On:
In: canada, turtles, Wildlife

Freshwater turtles have become less abundant in coastal areas of Greater Toronto that have significantly decreased wetlands.

The post Depleted wetlands impact freshwater turtles in Toronto first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/08/09/depleted-wetlands-impact-freshwater-turtles-in-toronto/

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