Flagler Beach Turtle Fest brings out turtle and tortoise enthusiasts of all kinds

The annual event is the primary fundraiser for the Volusia/Flagler Turtle Patrol.

By Colleen Michele Jones
| 12:18 p.m. April 9, 2017

Thomas and Streaker, two African spur thigh tortoises, battle it out in the tortoise races at Flagler Beach April 8. Photos by Colleen Michele Jones

Lori Ottlein, a volunteer with the Volusia/Flagler Turtle Patrol, holds Sam, a 26-year-old freshwater turtle.

Michael Seal, 6, of Palm Coast, a fan of marine biology, pets one of the freshwater turtles wading in a pool.

Friend or foe? The "race" between two of the giant tortoises on display was declared a virtual "neck-and-neck" tie.

From left to right, volunteers with Flagler' s Save the Gopher Tortoise coalition: Rosemary Myers, Art Woosley, and Elaine Winter.

Mary Ellen Moore, of New Smyrna Beach, had no idea she would have the perfectly themed handbag for the day when she visited friends in Flagler Beach on April 8.

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

The 10th annual Turtle Fest held at Veterans Park in Flagler Beach on Saturday, April 8 brought out hundreds of curiosity-seekers over the course of the day. Some knew the difference between turtles and tortoises; others did not, but soon learned in hands-on displays and races between the reptiles.

One race between African spur thigh tortoises Thomas and Streaker seemed more like a wrestling match, with Turtle Fest volunteer Rob White calling the "neck in neck" race a tie.

A booth set up by Art Woolsey and other supporters of a local Save the Gopher Tortoise campaign educated visitors about the environmental dangers posed to the critters, particularly when their ecosystems are disturbed by development and construction.

The event is the primary fundraiser for the Volusia/Flagler Turtle Patrol, which helps in the rescue and rehabilitation of turtles and tortoises throughout the area.