Thursday May 7: Finish date for Think Turtle rock painting contest

Injured turtles need Super Glue – and kids and grownups can help!

Hello from Kelly at Think Turtle Conservation Initiative

As we are all aware one of the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been people purchasing a vast array of staple items as well as other items to the point it has become difficult for suppliers to meet customer’s needs and each of us to purchase items. Some we need, others we would like to have for projects we working on and all kinds of others reasons important to us individually.

Think Turtle and others share the concern that if the two specific types of ‘LePages Gel Super Glue’ that are used in the treatment of injured turtles become difficult to routinely purchase this could have a baring on effectively being able to treat injuries turtles have sustained the type of injuries super glue is used on.

To help with this we have organized a super glue challenge that is set-up so people wishing to help the turtles in this way can do so through a fun rock painting contest or if they prefer not to paint rocks there are other options as outlined in this e-mail. Your help with ensuring the OTCC has super glue on hand this turtle season would be greatly appreciated.

Note: We do not view this as hoarding being a purchase we have made in the past, not a necessity to many people and their being a wide selection of super glues available. Thank you for your consideration and assistance in this matter.

Last year, Think Turtle hosted four ‘rock painting’ events and co-hosted one event in the Bancroft area between June and September. The Turtles Rock! events as we tagged them were intended to encourage adults and youth to share their creativity in a way that would help the injured turtles admitted to the turtle hospital at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC).

Should you not be familiar with the OTCC it is home to Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre being Ontario’s ‘turtle hospital.’ OTCC is located in Peterborough and is presently the only wildlife rehabilitation centre in Ontario dedicated ‘SOLELY’ to providing medical and rehabilitative care to the Ontario turtles. They admit injured turtles from all across Ontario. In 2019, ‘1,498’ injured turtles were admitted. 90% were the result of being struck by a motor vehicle. The OTCC has over the winter looked after over ‘1,000’ turtles as well turtle hatchlings.

The turtles that have recovered from their injuries will be released when the weather warms up and the other turtles will continue to require care as they recover from their injuries. Some turtles having sustained the kind of injuries that would prevent them from surviving in the wild will go on to be turtle teaching ambassadors for their species.

The adults and youths that attended the rock painting events last year had a great time and were very enthusiastic about donating their painted rocks to the ‘Crafting For Turtles’ initiative so Think Turtle could sell them at markets, fairs and other public events to raise funds to be donated to the OTCC. There were also adults and youths in the community that did not attend the rock painting events and instead donated rocks they painted at home.

An interesting note, the number of adults that participated in our rock painting events outnumbered the number of youngsters that participated. Overall, it was a wonderful show of community spirit to help turtles in need! The rocks sold for $3 and $5 as gifts and keepsakes. Our combined efforts raised $1,042, that has since been donated to the OTCC.

It was our plan to continue with the ‘Crafting For Turtles’ initiative this year being the 3rd year but with a new craft. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it being crucial that we all stay home and adhere to infection control practices we will proceed with the new craft next year and change up our ‘Crafting 4 Turtles’ initiative for now. So with that we thought more rock painting would be a welcome creative endeavor. We will also be looking to raise some funds through this initiative but in a different way to help the turtles at the turtle hospital.

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Welcome to Think Turtle’s ‘ROCK PAINTING CONTEST’ with a twist!

We feel that with the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented it is important for all of us to connect with nature outdoors and indoors. As spring unfolds there will be rainy days and we need those. ‘April showers bring May flowers.’ Here’s a constructive, creative and fun project to delve into on rainy days or any day as well as being in support of a good cause. Prizes will be awarded and a good time will be had by all that participate.

CONTEST THEME: ‘GARDEN MARKERS’

So many people are planning their gardens right now we thought painted rock garden markers would be a great addition to everyone’s gardens and a neat rock painting theme to start with. We have assembled a sampling of painted rock garden markers in a photo album on Flikcr to inspire you. Check it out at this link.

As an alternative if looking for more ideas Google ‘painted rock garden marker.’

CONTEST RULES

Please read the following contest rules thoroughly to avoid impacting your contest eligibility.

>>The contest start day is Thursday April 16th & the finish date is Thursday May 7th<<

1. Age/Location: This contest is open to adults and youth of all ages residing in Ontario. There are some age requirement stipulations to make note of regarding submitting entries for this contest. Please see rule number 5.

2. Entry Fee: There is ‘No Entry Fee’ and ‘No Purchase Necessary’ to enter this contest.

3. Eligibility Format: To be eligible for this contest you will need to create a painted ‘GARDEN MARKER’ rock collection consisting of a minimum of ‘5’ painted rocks and a maximum of ‘7’ painted rocks.

4. Substrate/Finish: The size of the rocks you paint is your choice. We generally find medium sized rocks (4″ wide) the nicest to work with. When looking for rocks to use in your backyard or else where look for rocks that have one flat area. This will be ideal for applying the design you intend to. It is important to wash/scrub the rocks and allow them to dry prior to painting. This will ensure the rocks are rid of any dirt or other debris that may prevent your paint from adhering properly. The rocks you use can be painted with acrylic paints or paint markers or similar such medium you chose to represent the contest theme. If your finished rocks are to be incorporated into your backyard/garden it is recommended you use an exterior sealer so they will be able to withstand the outdoor elements. Applying a glossy sealant also makes the colors pop and truly adds that appealing finishing touch.

5. Contest Entries: Painted rock collection entries can be submitted by a family or team (residing at the same address) or an individual. A family or team will consist of 2 or more people.
(i) If participating in the contest as a family or team the contest entry must be submitted by a family/team representative 18 years or older. (ii) If participating in the contest as an individual you will need to be 18 years or older. Note: One painted rock collection submission per family, team or individual.

8. Closing Date: To officially enter the contest please submit photos either via e-mail or Facebook as outlined below no later then midnight Thursday May 7, 2020
(1) One good quality photo of the family/team or individual with your painted rock collection.
(2) One good quality photo or more of just your painted rock collection.
As your painted rock collection will be selected by the photos you submit it is recommended you send photos that best capture your creations. Please ‘title’ your collection. If you would like to submit a brief statement that describes what inspired the collection or additional notes please do. Entrance into the contest constitutes permission to use your name and image for purposes of publicity. Note: Think Turtle will ‘not’ be sharing any photos that contain adults or youth on Facebook, Flickr or elsewhere unless permission is received in writing.

9. Judges: The winners will be selected by a panel of five judges. The judges that will be participating will represent a diverse range of backgrounds and are not directly affiliated with Think Turtle Conservation Initiative. They each embrace the spirit of this contest as being one that encourages creativity and fun and share a deep rooted desired to help the Ontario turtles!

10. Contest Judging: The painted rocks will ‘not’ be judged on artistic merit. Please know that you do not need to be a Picasso to paint rocks or enter this contest. Each painted rock collection will be judged on it’s overall appeal and interpretation of the theme.

11. Prize Categories:

(A) A Rock collection sure to inspire veggies to grow! … 1st Prize $25
(B) Judges favorite Rock! … 1st Prize $25
(C) Rocks that even turtles will stop to look at! … 1st Prize $25
(D) Best Rock collection name! … ‘Saving Turtles’ 64 page hardcover book by Sue Carstairs

12. Winners: The selected rock painting contest winners will be announced Thursday May 14th. The winners will be featured in a special tribute post shared via the Think Turtle Conservation Initiative Facebook group and shared extensively. Note: The rock collection (only) photo submissions received will be assembled into a Flicker photo album to share. If permission is received for rock collection photos that include adults and youth they will be included as well.

13. Official Stuff: Each selected winner will be required to answer a ‘skill-testing question’ prior to receiving their prize. This is an official contest requirement, nothing to stress about, promise

14. Prizes: Contest winners can either request their prize money be sent to them via e-Transfer or a cheque can be mailed to them. Note: Regarding COVID-19 concerns. All necessary ‘infection control practices’ will be adhered to when packaging and mailing cheques.

15. Chances of Winning: Dependent on the number of painted rock ‘garden marker’ collection entries received.

16. Series of Prizes: N/A

17. Early Bird Prizes: N/A, Disclosure at Point of Sale: N/A

SUPER GLUE CHALLENGE

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic we have had to cancel the annual ‘Bancroft Turtle Festival.’ As a grassroots supporter Think Turtle Conservation Initiative has organized the festival each year since it’s inception in 2018 to coincide with turtle season commencing. This is done for educational purposes, awareness raising and to help the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) home of Ontario’s turtle hospital. Each year as part of the festival we help raise supply donations, gift card donations and cash donations that will be much needed by the turtle hospital for injured turtles that will sadly be admitted. We are hoping that in lieu of the festivals cancellation this year you will join us to help the OTCC as we have done in the past.

In 2019 the Bancroft and surrounding community were able to send ‘6’ large totes full of much needed supply donations to the OTCC. Amongst those donations were ’52’ bottles of ‘LePage Gel Super Glue’. Knowing how important it is for the turtle hospital to have this essential product available to them to treat all manner of turtle injuries and knowing how expensive these products are, ranging from $7.29 to $10.99 for a 4ml bottle and subject to availability, we have set our sights on meeting the ’52’ bottles sent to the OTCC last year or even more it at all possible.

Think Turtle Conservation Initiative will donate $0.50 for ‘EVERY’ painted rock entered into the contest up to the goal of purchasing the ’52’ bottles of ‘LePage Gel Super Glue’ we aim to deliver to the OTCC. This supply donation will help in the treatment of injured turtles admitted during the coming months and thereafter. Note: We have been in touch with the Home Hardware in Bancroft and they are able to fulfill our potential order and have been kind enough to offer a discount based on the size of the order. There is a ride arranged and on standby to deliver the glue to the OTCC when the contest and super glue challenge has concluded.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUPPLY DONATION CHALLENGE

We are hoping that in lieu of the festival being cancelled this year you will join us to help the OTCC as we have done in the past. This can be done by either of the following ways …

(1) Participating in the ‘GARDEN MARKER’ rock painting contest. This could be fun!

(2) By making a modest donation of your choosing under $10 via an e-Transfer to thinkturtle@yahoo.com that Think Turtle can put towards the glue purchase goal we have set. Please include a ‘Super Glue Challenge’ notation if sending an e-Transfer.

(3) If you prefer to gift match Think Turtle’s donation of $0.50 per painted rock entered into the contest up to a specified limit of your choosing that would be wonderful.

(4) Another option is to purchase 1 or more bottles of ‘LePages Gel Super Glue’ and mail it directly to the OTCC or arrange to have it sent to the OTCC from the supplier you purchase it from. We would ask that people mail super glue donations during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid human interactions as much as possible. If you do choose to mail or or have super glue shipped from a supplier please note it is ‘VERY IMPORTANT’ to purchase the correct kind of super glue. LePage has several types of super glue but only certain the two ‘gel types’ listed below meet the required needs qualified veterinary’s use to treat injuries turtles have sustained from being struck by a motor vehicle and or other unfortunate circumstances.
LePage Gel Control Super Glue 4ml Bottle MFR #1668008
LePage Ultra Gel Control Super Glue, 4ml Bottle MFR #1662532

We know everyone has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in many ways and we don’t want to add to anyone’s burdens financial or otherwise. It was our aim to go about organizing a donation campaign to help the turtles that will be admitted to the turtle hospital this year in a way we feel offers options so anyone wanting to help the turtles and OTCC in this way can.

IMPORTANT CLOSING NOTE ABOUT INJURED TURTLES

If you find an injured turtle please call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre Hotline at 705-741-0000. Never attempt to treat an injured Ontario turtle no matter how mild you may think an injury is or how knowledgeable you are when it comes to administering first aid. It is in fact illegal to remove a turtle from the wild or have a turtle in your possession and citizens are most certainly prohibited from treating injured Ontario turtles. Although the idea of using super glue to treat some of the injuries turtles sustain may seem like something most anyone can do, it is far from that and should ‘NEVER’ be attempted or used by anyone other than a qualified veterinarian trained in such practices.

There is a risk of tissue irritation, aggravating infections and toxicity if used incorrectly and other complications that could cause further harm to an injured turtle and even result in death. Preventing an injured turtle from getting proper medical attention equates to cruelty and abuse and can be reported to the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) 1-833-9-ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625) from anywhere in Ontario. Please leave any and all turtle related medical treatments to qualified veterinarians.

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Should you have any questions at all about the contest and of course turtles please get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you and hope you will participate. Warning: Painting rocks is very addictive. It is difficult to stop at painting 5, good luck with that! Have fun!

It would be greatly appreciated if you could share this information with family, friends and any associates you think might be interested and ask them to do the same.

Please be mindful of the turtles and other wildlife we share the roads with this time of the year. Thank you.

Wishing you good health and resiliency, take care and be safe.

Kindest Regards,
Kelly Wallace
Think Turtle Conservation Initiative
Cell/Text: 647-606-9537
E-mail: thinkturtle (at) yahoo.com
Facebook: thinkturtleci