Common loon or snapping turtle.
Which should take the title of Ontario’s Unofficial Official Animal? That’s the choice Ontarians confronted this past weekend as our TVO.org tournament reached its somewhat unexpected conclusion.
The iconic bird and the ancient reptile were the two creatures that remained on the field after worthy competitors such as the beaver, the raccoon, and the Algonquin wolf had been vanquished.
Voters made their voices heard through a Twitter poll and email ballots. Some wrote simply “SNAPPING TURTLE!!!!” or “loon ❤️.” Others outlined their rationale:
“There is nothing like the cry of the loon on a misty morning to make you so happy you are in Ontario!”
“I vote for the often misunderstood snapping turtle for official unofficial animal of Ontario. They are one of the oldest species on the planet! That deserves its place!”
“Love loons, but they have had their place in the sun for a long time. Turtles time now.”
“I vote for snapping turtles as the official animal to represent us. They have survived through everything since the dinosaurs and have incredible positive benefits to the ecosystem. We are proud and lucky to have them.”
“There is no animal in my opinion that can beat the snapping turtle...not even the loon.”
Attentive readers will have noticed a theme in those email excerpts.
That’s right: Ontario’s Unofficial Official Animal is officially … the snapping turtle.
(Graphic by Jasmine El Kurd)
“Honestly, I’m kind of relieved,” said Kat Eschner, TVO.org’s affordability reporter, who wrote our profile of the loon. “The loon, with its amazing swimming abilities and haunting call, is already the province’s official bird. I think it made it this far predominantly because of Ontario’s well-documented problems with incumbency bias. It’s refreshing to see another important aquatic predator thriving and bringing a new perspective to the slate of incredible local wildlife.”
Said TVO.org editor-in-chief Graeme Bayliss, "I, for one, welcome our new chelonian overlords."
TVO.org’s Nathaniel Basen, who’s now two-for-two with his competition articles (last year, Chesley’s Big Bruce emerged victorious in our Roadside Attraction Showdown), was understandably pleased that his fierce competitor won the crown: “The snapping turtle has an obvious appeal: its serrated tail, natural armour, and Mezosoic past conjure a compelling story. The turtle captivates because of its less conspicuous traits. It’s curious, but it keeps to itself. It seems to operate with a different conception of time than the rest of us, never in a hurry but always exactly where it needs to be. It’s powerful yet peaceful, except when it feels vulnerable. It’s ecologically significant — an irreplaceable cog in lake and wetland ecosystems. I can’t think of a more deserving winner of the title of Ontario’s Unofficial Official Animal.”
He admitted, though, that the result did come as a surprise: “I did not think Canada’s largest freshwater turtle species would win this competition — it is not as cuddly, playful, or distinguished as many of its competitors.”
What the turtle does have, however, is passionate, dedicated, and organized defenders.
Think Turtle worked to get out the vote on social media. (Facebook)
“We sent out information to people that follow us on Facebook, emailed, put out phone calls, basically encouraged people to spread the word,” said Kelly Wallace, the founder and managing director of Think Turtle Conservation Initiative, a Bancroft-based organization that coordinates education initiatives and species-recovery efforts. “It was very much a team effort — reaching out to other turtle conservation people and asking them to share it.”
Turtle enthusiasts from across the province answered the call. They supported their shelled, determined contender through four showdown rounds, casting hundreds and hundreds of votes.
The turtle is likely unaware of its new status as Ontario’s Official Unofficial Animal. But Wallace is hoping Ontarians will take notice.
“It’s so important for our generation to have a true understanding of the snapping turtle, so that we can teach the next generation,” she said. “We want them to preserve the prehistoric legacy of the snapping turtle and also protect them, as they are species at risk.”
And how does she feel knowing that the creature she championed has snapped up the top honour? “I’m just walking on cloud nine right now.”
With files from Nathaniel Basen.
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This series is produced with the assistance of Ontario Nature.