On a recent trip to Santa's Village Azoosment Park, I witnessed several turtles that were painted by children attending a camp. I was informed that the children paint the turtles as an activity and the park staff wash the turtles each night to remove the paint.

I was appaled that a park/zoo would allow children to paint a turtle shell for "fun." After doing my research, I was able to confirm that painting turtle shells is harmful in several ways. In fact, tort-time.com reports that:

1. This can block UV rays from being absorbed which impedes the turtle's ability to get the needed vitamins for healthy growth from sun/light and furthermore, without UVB turtles aren’t able to metabolize calcium.

2.Chemicals from the paint can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the shell and can taint the water the animal soaks in, being even more directly absorbed into the blood stream.

3. The fumes alone can cause respiratory issues, one of the leading causes of death in turtles and tortoises.

4. Painting turtles takes away their natural ability to avoid predators.

Please sign my petition in hopes of getting Santa's Village Azoosment Park in East Dundee, IL to stop this barbaric behavior and instead teach children to respect all living creatures.