Laura O’Leary is in a race of her own. The environmental science teacher has been involved in spreading awareness about the dangers of turtle derbies at a time of year when such events are commonplace.

O’Leary has been trying to inform others in an effort to help prevent turtle derbies at farm fairs, and other similar events. With the help of the Susquehannock Wildlife Society, O’Leary has been promoting awareness at numerous middle schools and high schools, where she has shared the information that she has gained. “We have presented our slideshows to many middle and high school students in order to spread the word”, says O’Leary.

Scott McDaniel, president of the Susquehannock Wildlife Society reports that turtle derbies have been one of the main causes of the population decline of turtles, especially box turtles. In fact, 50 percent of the turtle population has gone down in Harford County.

Pulling a turtle out of its environment is dangerous for both the turtle and for other wildlife sharing the same habitat. Once the turtle is placed back in its habitat after a derby, it begins to spread disease all around the habitat, contaminating, and eventually killing, fish, frogs, and even other turtles. This disease is called salmonella.

With the help of the Susquehannock Wildlife Society and other organizations, people are continuing to gain insight into the plight of the turtles. Some people feel that tradition of turtle racing should not be changed, however, others feel very strongly that it is a form of animal cruelty, and that it needs to end in order to ensure the lives of these turtles and other wildlife.

“Different people have differing opinions. Many people feel strongly about not “messing” with tradition,” says O’Leary.

In fact, O’Leary and a few wildlife students, including sophomores Nick Hyde and Jenna Smith, conducted a survey and found that about 80 percent of people in NHHS feel that turtle races are cruel to the animals, and they feel that turtle derbies should not be included in events such as Farm Fairs.
Not only does O’Leary feel that turtles should not race, but she feels that there should not be racing of any kind of amphibian including frogs, turtles, and snakes, which also have recently been declining in population.