The compound urushiol is found in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, which causes a contact allergic dermatitis in the majority of the population. We’ve both suffered from some pretty gnarly poison ivy this summer, so we are here to provide our favorite tips and tricks to surviving poison ivy when working outside! First [...]
This especially nippy snapper from DuPage County tugged himself into the newest "Worst Turtle of the Week" position. After his workup, he not only did not want to give us our rope back, but also snapped at any blue glove in sight. He was also recaptured the following day, and I personally wrestled him for [...]
This baby danger nugget (Common Snapping Turtle) from DuPage County was awarded the "Best Turtle of the Week" position. So cute, so pudgy, so polite, and not yet figured out that it is a snapper that should bite. He weighed in at about 65 grams, which is officially my tiniest patient so far.
This stubborn Blanding's boy from DuPage County swiped the position of 'Worst Turtle of the Week' by completely being uncooperative during blood draws, swabbing, and his physical exam. His long nails destroyed more than four pairs of glove. My palm will not forgive him for the abuse.
I present this adorable Blanding's juvenile from DuPage County as the 'Best Turtle of the Week.' They were fantastic for their workup and cheesed for our shellfie. 10/10 would examine again <3
What does a week of aquatic turtle work look like for an ornate box turtle gal? Pretty much just a lot of water... Marg and Maddie This past week, one of our ornate team members, Maddie, joined Lake County veterinary students and biologists and competed in this year’s Blanding’s Bowl! Blanding’s Bowl is [...]
Another successful Blanding’s Bowl! We had an exciting first week of July with our Blanding’s Bowl Competition, where the WEL team, Lake County, and others battled for the Championship title on the largest turtle trapping week of the summer. Folks from the WEL vet team, Lake County, Cook County, Eastern Box Turtle Team, Ornate [...]
What information is collected when you find a turtle? This week we are focussing on a common question most of the WEL team has been asked by friends, family, and the general public. The general procedures for on-site sampling as well as what we record on our Health Assessment data sheet will be discussed below. [...]
As much as you think you know what each day will be like, the marsh is quite an unpredictable place. Between cattails trying to take out your eyeballs and brownie batter trying to eat your boots, you definitely find your inner strength in this line of work. Along with working with our seasonal worker Oscar, [...]
Surina and Carly have been battling the marsh day after day for a great reward: almost 100 turtles processed this season so far! After just four weeks, Surina and Carly have sampled 48 Blandings turtles, 24 Painteds, and 24 snipper snaps. In this time, Carly has almost mastered the dreaded snapping turtle tail draw while [...]
