Every Wednesday during the summer (turtle egg laying season) the town of Nisswa, MN holds turtle races. Wild turtles are caught from nearby water bodies and later returned after the races. The races take place on pavement which in the summer can reach degrees hot enough to burn flesh. The turtles are handled by small children who often drop them. They are splashed with water and shouted at in order to get them to move. Turtles are delicate animals who have to be handled carefully. Many turtles die because of these races. This race is both cruel and negatively effects these wild turtles.