by DeAna Vitela

Something I never thought would be in my repertoire of cleaning up pollution, is turtle wrangling.

I own a firm that specializes in R&D, products, and services, for natural remediation of pollutants and habitat restoration using “Nature to Heal Itself”.

The proliferation of non-native turtle species in our urban lakes, creeks, rivers and streams has become an overwhelming issue for many cities in the US. It became an issue for us in keeping the bodies of water that we manage clean and healthy.

In Southern California, our urban waterbodies have become overwhelmed with invasive species of plants, animals, and insects. In this piece I’m only addressing the turtle issue.

The Department of Fish & Wildlife and other regulatory agencies prefer that these turtles be destroyed. Non-native turtles particularly red eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), are the most commonly found. However municipalities and politicians don’t want the negative press of destroying pets so that’s where we come in.

You may wonder how do they get there?

Well these cute little turtles come from pet shops or from illegal vendors at street markets and fairs. After a stint as someone's pet, people realize they are too much work for them, or their children, and the smell of the dirty green water is overwhelming. So instead of taking them back to the pet store, they abandoned them in a local waterbody in hopes they can visit them. The slider turtle is a pet that can recognize their owner and understand some commands.

However, these turtles can carry salmonella, live up to 30 -35 years and get as big as a large dinner plate. One female slider turtle can lay up to 30 eggs at a time and have up to 5 clutches a year. So a few turtles with some of their offspring can decimate a waterbody, eating all the native plants, fish eggs, fry and insects that the native western pond turtle,(Emys marmorata), need to survive with in a matter of 3 years in a body of water.

They produce a large amount of nutrients contributing to the growth of aquatic weeds, algae, cyanobacteria, and the eutrophication of that waterbody.

So what do we do with them?

We trap, collect and remove them from the waterbody and give them to different assorted animal non-profit organizations, and wholesale distributors for the pet store industry. And thus starts the dance of the turtles. They get sold again to pet stores, then sold again as pets. I’ve often thought of getting a fish tagging system just to see how many turtles are going through this dance. It usually takes about 2 to 3 years for us to get a callback from the same site to remove turtles again. And sometimes we recognize the turtles due to old injuries or unusual markings.

I wish there was a way to stop the purchase of illegal turtles. I hope people start to purchase turtles through authorized pet stores with a return policy and not abandon them at the nearest waterbody. I hope in writing about this subject that it educates the public about responsible ownership of a turtle, the damage they and the turtle are doing to the environment, and of course empathy for the turtle, who doesn’t understand why it was abandoned…

Being single again after my late husband’s 4-year battle with bladder cancer then subsequent death 3 years ago, is what drove me to it. I was left a widow in my mid 50's. My friends say I look like I’m in my 40’s. I have the same energy and stamina of when I was in my early 30’s.

My friends both male and female said I should try online dating I’m a “good catch” because I’m a widow not a divorcee. One said I’m not jaded and angry at all men… yet.

So, I try creating a profile that would make someone want to meet me…

-Two guys have asked me for a job.

-One for his daughter graduating college.

Note to self: Too much information about what I do for a living…

Rewrite…

Less job info.

- Quite a few responded. Nice! Then lot of texting going on, and on, and on, and on…

-A scammer asked for money after texting for a few weeks.

Doesn’t anyone want to meet in person? See if there’s chemistry? Heck I’ll pay for the coffee…

I add to the profile about the importance of meeting in person…

-One Dick pic! Note to self: Don’t answer texts first thing early morning!

-Another Dick pic late in the evening…

-A few sexted me as the texting got progressive. Am I giving the wrong impression?

-Several men between 25–40 responded. Interesting! Are they looking for a sugar mama?

Rewrite…

“Looking to swap ideas not train”.

-One has fallen in love with me and we haven’t met! Hold on Cowboy!!!

-Someone actually wants to meet! We meet, go on a couple of dates, come to find out we share the same car mechanic. So, I call Carlos my mechanic, and he says to me; “Why are you with Juan, you can do better than him, he collects women! He has all his women bring their cars to me”.

Is my picker off? I don’t want to be part of a collection…

-Another meet up. Nice man no chemistry…

Rewrite…

Looking for a “committed” relationship. Instead of; Looking for “a” relationship…

-A few commit to a meet up, then then don’t show up…

I’m exhausted! Confused, my ego trashed…

I’m thinking of taking a break from the apps, but there’s something sadistically intriguing, sort of like watching a train wreck…

Current profile:

I love my life and looking to find a stable relationship. I’m athletic and curvy (I’m not bad I’m just drawn that way ;) guess what animated movie…and yes, I do have a sense of humor… I would like to start slowly and see where it leads. I am very affectionate when I have a partner. You can find me around water most of the time. I garden, like to cook, hang at the beach, love good wine, and fine chocolate, salsa dancing, roller skating on the bike path, sailing, and swimming. I walk on the beach weekly to clear my soul, and I hike to look for native medicinal plants. I love animals and have assorted rescued pets acquired from different job sites. I’m close to my family and friends. My friends and family tell me that I’m the house they will come to if there’s a disaster because I have everything needed to survive. My late husband called me “His gift to himself”. Looking to swap ideas not train. BTW please don’t be afraid to meet up in person after texting for a few days/weeks. I get the texting thing in the beginning. But, I believe that you can tell so much about a person by looking into their eyes, listening to their voice their laugh, see how they express themselves. Don’t be afraid to just go get a cup of coffee or tea somewhere…