Famous figure-8 turtle and No MOre Trash! mascot celebrates 29th birthday today

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News from the region
Saint Louis
Published Date
11/08/2012
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ST. LOUIS, Mo -- She may be the most famous real turtle in the country, and certainly in Missouri! She’s Peanut the Turtle, the official mascot of The Missouri Departments’ of Conservation (MDC) and Transportation’s (MoDOT) No More Trash! campaign. And she’s having a birthday party today, Nov. 8, at MDC's August A. Busch Conservation Area in St. Charles from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The event is free.

Peanut is a native St. Louisan. She’s the red-eared slider who was found in 1993 in the St. Louis area with a plastic six-pack ring stuck around her body. This caused her shell to grow into the unusual figure-eight shape for which she was named. Currently residing at the Busch Conservation Area, she travels around Missouri, helping remind us to consider wildlife and put litter in its place. Peanut has been featured in numerous TV appearances, newspaper articles and makes an annual visit to the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. With a figure like hers, she is definitely one-of-a-kind.

For media and others, today’s celebration is an excellent opportunity to get video footage and photos of Peanut as we wish her a happy 29th birthday. It’s also a great way to thank Peanut for all she’s done to promote a clean environment.

The party was organized by MDC Naturalist Matt Ormsby.

“I decided to do a birthday party after working at the state fair and seeing how amazed young adults with families were after hearing that she was 28 years old,” said Ormsby. “Many of them remember seeing her when they were a kid at the state fair or at a school.”

The event will include free refreshments and No More Trash-themed giveaways courtesy of MoDOT. For more information about Peanut’s birthday celebration, call 636-441-4554.

If you can’t make it for the party, feel free to call and schedule a visit to see Peanut at your convenience. The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area is located at 2360 Highway D in St. Charles.