Think Turtle News (February)

Think Turtle News (February)

Hello from Kelly at Think Turtle Conservation Initiative

We hope this post finds you doing well and enjoying the winter. Since last in touch, we have been tremendously busy preparing for this turtle season. With the speed at which January and half of February have flown by, it will be spring before we know it. The Farmer’s Almanac says otherwise having released its extended forecast for spring, referring to it as the “Polar Coaster Spring.” We will put a pin in that and look ahead to spring officially arriving in a mere few weeks and the turtles soon after.

The following is turtle-related news, information, and upcoming events we want to inform you about. We hope you find this information set up so you can easily read the subject matter that interests you or the contents in their entirety.

CONTENT

(1) Endangered Species Act
(2) Superglue Challenge
(3) Get It Done Act
(4) Spring Awakening and Wellness Event
(5) Home Again Bake Sale
(6) Turtle Nest Protectors

(1) Endangered Species Act On The Chopping Block
The deadline for submitting comments on regulatory changes the Provincial Government proposes for the Endangered Species Act, 2007, is quickly approaching, February 20, 2024.

If you still need to submit comments or sign petitions, please do. We have included the link to read the proposal details and comment on the Environmental Registry and the links to petitions set up by Ontario Nature and Environmental Defence to sign.
https://thinkturtleconservationinitiative.wordpress.com/2024/02/15/endangered-species-act-on-the-chopping-block/

(2) Superglue Challenge
Every year with the help of friends in the Bancroft area and throughout Ontario, we aim to do what we can to assist the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) home of Ontario’s turtle hospital secure much-needed medical and operational supplies needed to treat and care for injured turtles admitted each turtle season. Last year, over 1,900 injured turtles were admitted, 90% as a result of being struck by a motor vehicle; the other 10% of injuries included boat strikes, getting hooked on a fishing line, pollution, illness, turtle misadventure, deliberate harm, and animal attacks. OTCC ia always in need of supplies!

THE CHALLENGE and GOAL
Please join Think Turtle and friends as we look to help the turtle hospital stock up on the “SPECIFIC” type of adhesive they use when treating turtles admitted with shell injuries. Lepage Gel Control Super Glue or Lepage Ultra Gel Control Super Glue is the only type of adhesive that meets the unique requirements associated with turtles being a semi-aquatic species. Our goal with the “Super Glue Challenge” is to raise enough funds to purchase “50” bottles of this adhesive to deliver to the OTCC for turtle season 2024. Note: If you would instead like to buy bottles of Lepage Gel Control Super Glue or Lepage Ultra Gel Control Super Glue to drop off at the OTCC in Peterborough, that would be fantastic. Please let us know as well that you will be doing that so we have an idea of the end-of-challenge quantities delivered to OTCC. Thank you.

The turtle hospital needs to have this essential product readily available to them. It is expensive, and product shortages with manufacturers and suppliers have been a concern. This adhesive product is typically $8 – $12 plus HST for a tiny 4ml bottle. As such, we aim to help ease the OTCC’s financial burden and acquire the stock they need before possible availability shortages and subsequent price increases.

With Think Turtle looking to make a “one-time” large quantity purchase, this will allow us a discount from our selected supplier. When the super glue challenge has concluded, we will arrange delivery to the OTCC.

We would appreciate it if you could contribute enough to the Super Glue Challenge” to purchase a bottle of this adhesive to help us meet the goal set. Contributions can be made via e-Transfer to thinkturtle@yahoo.com, by cheque, or by cash at our office in L’amable if you are in the Bancroft area. Thank you! Our collective efforts would be instrumental in helping injured turtles receive the medical treatment needed to recover and return home to their natural habitat.

If you have any questions regarding the “Super Glue Challenge” Fundraiser or other turtle-related matters, please get in touch. Our contact information is at the end of this post.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT INJURED TURTLES
If you find an injured turtle, please call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre Hotline at 705-741-5000, no matter where you are in Ontario. “NEVER” attempt to treat an injured turtle, no matter how mild you may think an injury is or how knowledgeable you feel about administering first aid. The turtle may have sustained internal injuries that would only be detected by a veterinarian and x-ray.

It is, in fact, illegal to remove a turtle from the wild and for someone not officially qualified and registered with the province to treat injured Ontario turtles. Although the idea of using super glue to treat a turtle shell injury may seem like something almost anyone can do, it is far from that and should “NEVER” be attempted or used by anyone other than a fully qualified veterinarian trained in such practices.

Super glue is “not” used on wounds; it is applied to fasteners secured to the turtle shell as part of the procedure for mending shell fractures. The improper use or application of super glue runs the risk of glue getting into wounds and causing tissue irritation; it can aggravate infections, result in toxicity, and incite other complications that could cause further harm to an injured turtle and even death. Preventing an injured turtle from getting proper medical attention equates to cruelty and abuse. If you suspect concerning activities in Ontario, please report this to the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) at 1-833-9-ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625) or the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF)TIPS LINE at 1-877-TIPS-MNRF (847-7667) or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-222-8477. Please leave any turtle-related medical treatments to qualified veterinarians.
Thank you for caring and supporting turtle species recovery efforts in Ontario!

(3) Get It Done Act
In case you missed it, on February 13, the Provincial Government announced they would roll out a bill titled the “Get It Done Act.” The media release is available at https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004187/ontario-protecting-people-from-the-high-costs-of-a-provincial-carbon-tax

The Get It Done Act is to be a bill focused on stopping carbon pricing. There are suspicions that this is another large bill padded with several concerning issues. The timing of this bill and activities leading up to it, such as changes to the Endangered Species Act, point to the possibility of the Provincial Government using this bill to promote sprawl development and undermine protected land and environmental protection.

An important point to stress is that this new bill may represent a more strategic plan by the Provincial Government to bypass and fast-track environmental protection, open protected land and water to speculators, download financial responsibilities to municipalities and taxpayers, diminish municipalities’ role in the community planning, violate Indigenous and Treaty rights and overall be counter-productive to natural solutions to help mitigate climate change.
Please keep an eye out for the roll out of this new bill.

Additional Reading
The Narwhal: An article featured in The Narwhal on February 2, available to subscribers, reports documents that show Ontario may move to allow expropriation of land before environmental review.

Environmental Defence Statement: The Ontario Government’s So-Called “Get It Done” Bill Would Revive the Sprawl and Land Speculation Scandal
https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/02/05/statement-the-ontario-governments-so-called-get-it-done-bill-would-revive-the-sprawl-and-land-speculation-scandal/

(4) Spring Awakening and Wellness Event (Maynooth)
As we get ready to usher in spring, set your sights on heading to Maynooth on March 16 for an unforgettable event promoting holistic exploration, self-discovery, and awareness.

SPRING AWAKENING AND WELLNESS EVENT
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024
Location: Hasting’s Highlands Centre, Emond Hall
Address: 33011 Highway 62 North, Maynooth
Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Hosted By: Zhaabwaabi Kwe (Tina S)
Indigenous Psychic Medium Healer
and Artisan

About The Event
This free event will feature Phychics Mediums offering mini readings, Crystal, Jewelry, Wands, Handcrafted candles, Herbalists, Traditional Healers, Indigenous Artisans, Reiki, Massage Therapy, Divination, Supplements, and so much more.

Dibaajimowin Cultural Centre, Michi Saagiig Anishnaabe of Rice Lake, will be at the event to share teachings and increase awareness regarding Every Child Matters and Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. There will be items available to purchase as well.

Think Turtle
As part of our ongoing education and awareness initiatives, Think Turtle will be present at the event and keen to chat with people about their encounters and how we can help the Ontario Turtles. We will also have merchandise available to purchase.

Think Turtle merchandise includes Watch 4 Turtles signs (wooden and coroplast), car magnets, bumper stickers, conservation-themed t-shirt designs, and other Turtle-related merchandise. We also have some “Shell Yeah” t-shirts, fridge magnets, and keychains available while quantities last. The proceeds from merchandise sales after costs go towards helping support the education initiatives and species recovery efforts we are engaged in.

(5) Home Again Bake Sale (Bancroft)
Be sure to mark Saturday, March 23, on your calendar. Home Again will host their annual bake sale, with all proceeds to support Home Again’s rescue animals. Everybody loves homemade baked goods, and plenty of delicious goodies will be available. Show your support on the day for “Home Again” and their dedicated efforts to find forever homes for so many cats and dogs. It is truly an organization that touches our hearts with all they do. Thank you to Home Again for allowing Think Turtle to join you on the day.

HOME AGAIN BAKE SALE
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2023
Location: Bancroft Village Playhouse
Address: 5 Hastings Street South, Bancroft
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Hosted By: Home Again

About The Event
Making Baked Goods: If you make something for the bake sale, Home Again asks that all baked goods be packaged and dropped off after 9:30 am at the Village Playhouse. It is unnecessary to price the items you make; Home Again will price them.

Think Turtle
Think Turtle will be set up on the day to talk with people about helping turtles. We will have Watch 4 Turtles signs, car magnets, t-shirts, and other items available for sale to help raise awareness and support turtle conservation. Hope to see you there!

(6) Turtle Nest Protectors
Winter is a perfect time to make turtle nest protectors! Preparing for the nesting season by having nest protectors constructed and on standby when you live in Turtle Country is an excellent approach to helping turtles. The following is a link to articles featured in our bi-weekly column, “Turtles and then some” in The Bancroft Times. We hope you check out the February 7, 2024, article about turtle nest protectors, Please Make Turtle Nest Protectors.
https://thinkturtleconservationinitiative.wordpress.com/2024/01/15/turtles-and-then-some-2024/

We also have a list of individuals and groups involved in turtle conservation throughout Ontario, with pre-constructed nest protectors available to purchase.

Where To Buy Turtle Nest Protectors
https://thinkturtleconservationinitiative.wordpress.com/2022/05/20/where-to-buy-turtle-nest-protectors/

Thank you so much for following the education initiatives and species recovery efforts. Think Turtle Conservation Initiative is engaged in and supporting turtle conservation in Ontario! If you have any turtle-related questions, please do not hesitate to contact Think Turtle Conservation Initiative at 647-606-9537 (phone/text) or e-mail thinkturtle@yahoo.com. Follow us on Facebook: thinkturtleci or visit our website at thinkturtle.ca for more information.

Have a great Family Day, and please be safe on the roads!

Kindest Regards,
Kelly Wallace, Managing Director
Think Turtle Conservation Initiative
Cell/Text: 647-606-9537
E-mail: thinkturtle@yahoo.com
Facebook: thinkturtleci
Username: Wallace Kathleen Kelly
Facebook Post: #1150