Wendy and I drove an hour or so west of London to attend a Turtle Birthday Party... my first.
Here's the Twitter blurb:
"Happy Turtle birthday! Today's our 2nd Annual "Turtley Awesome Shellebration"! Stop by A.W. Campbell Conservation Area today between 1-4pm today!! We'll have three native turtle species for you to see, cake, and fun activities for kids"
After an opening speech by the Mayor of St. Clair County, Steve Arnold, the fun began.
Erin and her colleagues from the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority gave a brief talk about the project to save the turtles. Did you know that all eight kinds of turtles found in the region are now on the list of "species at risk"?
Erin's friend Dawn, one of her Derby Girls friends showed up in Roller Derby attire for the party.
Erin lovingly explains some interesting things about one of the three varieties of live, baby turtles on display. One of the main causes of the demise of turtles is animal predators. The rescuers gather the eggs shortly after they are laid and incubate them in a lab before returning them to where they were found. The first year of the program they only rescued 23, this year over 900.
Baby soft-shell turtles were hatched only two days ago. Human activity has reduced the turtle habitat, thereby concentrating the number of natural predators into smaller and smaller spaces. This makes it more likely the eggs will be taken by raccoons, skunks, snakes and other animals. Rescuers have to actually hide and wait, sometimes behind trees, to run out and get the eggs ahead of the emboldened raccoons.
Another Roller Derby girl, Corina, helps with the crafts.
Lots of interesting stuff for young and older.
A fine summer day in the park.
.
.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment