Wildlife Advocates Push To End Bel Air Turtle Derby, Frog Jump

Wildlife advocates are urging Bel Air Fourth of July event sponsors and planners to call off the annual turtle derby and frog jump.

Event organizers have said, however, that they have no plans to cancel the 2013 events.

The events are part of a long-standing tradition in Bel Air and a large number of the frogs and turtles used in the contests are captured in the wild in the days leading up to July 4th.

The Center for Biological Diversity sent a letter to event sponsor the Kiwanis club warning of health dangers these races pose to both turtles and children.

The races have potential to spread Ranavirus, an infectious disease that impacts Maryland eastern box turtles, some frogs, salamanders and other turtles, a release from the center states.

Handling wild turtles can also spread Salmonella to children and adults, the release states.

The Susquehanna Wildlife Society of Bel Air also issued a release to local media discouraging members of the community from participating in the events and calling for an end to the frog jumping contest as well as the turtle derby.

"Creating stressful situations for these animals for our amusement is both dangerous and cruel," the wildlife society release states.

Don Stewart, president of the Bel Air Independence Day Committee, told Explore Harford the organization did not have enough time to stop the turtle race and plan something else to take its place.

"They definitely have a point. We are not disputing anything they have to say," Stewart told Explore Harford. "We are just doing the best we can with what little resources we have."

In Maryland it is illegal to release back into the wild reptiles or amphibians that have come in contact with other animals while held in captivity, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, or DNR.

DNR encourages participants to only use domesticated, pet turtles in the races, according to the department's website.

You tell us: What are your thoughts on the frog jump and turtle derby? Should the be stopped or permitted to continue? Leave a comment.