The purpose of World Turtle Day, May 23, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue.
American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) was founded in 1990 by husband and wife team Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson. It is a nonprofit organisation that rescues and rehabilitates all species of tortoise and turtle. It also does a lot of work on protecting the environments in which these animals live. They will always try and find new homes for the animals but if this is not possible then they will remain in the care of the ATR.
The purpose of World Turtle Day is to educate people about the things that they can do to protect the habitats of turtle and tortoises. It is also a celebration of the joy that these reptiles bring to so many people on a daily basis.
World Turtle Day 2019 Theme
The World Turtle Day 2019 Theme designated by the American Tortoise Rescue Society is same for every year which is Protection of Turtles and Tortoises from all around the world. The American Tortoise Rescue celebrates the World Turtle Day 2019 with the cutest tagline” Shellebrate World Turtle Day 2019″ on May 23, 2019. The theme of the whole celebration of the World Turtle Day 2019 is to spread knowledge about the respect for the world’s oldest creature known as Turtles. They not only deserve respect but also deserve the best environment to live to as the Turtles have an importance space in the eco-system as well.
Facts About Turtles
- Sea Turtles have special glands which remove salt from their drinking water
- Green Sea Turtles can hold their breath up to 5 hours
- The Leatherback Sea Turtle can weigh over 2,000 pounds
- Leatherback Sea Turtles can travel over 10,000 miles a year
- Not all turtle species can hide their heads in their shells
- Turtles live mainly in water
- Tortoises live mainly on land
- Terrapins live both on land and in water
- Most turtles are omnivores
Some Turtles on the Brink of Extinction
Almost 70% of the turtles that are alive today are endangered. This includes seven species of sea turtles (which include the Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback Sea Turtles, Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles, among others). It also includes land turtles such as the Radiated Tortoise, the Saw-jawed Terrapin, the Ploughshare Tortoise, the Philippine Pond Turtle, the Flattened Musk Turtle, the Yellow-headed Box Turtle, McCord’s Box Turtle, Indochinese Box Turtle, Yellow Mud Turtle, Western Chicken Turtle and Blanding’s Turtle.
Threats and dangers to sea turtles
Worldwide, six of the seven sea turtle species are classified as threatened or endangered due to human actions and lifestyles. The biggest threats include:
- Entanglement in fishing gear
- Consumption and illegal trade of eggs, meat, and shells
- Coastal development
- Plastic and other marine debris
- Global warming
- Ocean pollution
- Turtleshell Trade
Ways to participate saving turtles
Following are the amazing ways in which you can celebrate the World Turtle Day 2019 on May 23.
1. Never Buy a Turtle from Pet Shop
The first step towards the saving the Turtles and Tortoises is to never buy one from the pet shop or from the breeders as this increases the demand from the wild.
2. Report about the Illegal Sales from the Turtle
You can do your bit for saving the Turtles by reporting about the sale of Turtles or Tortoises which are less than 4 inches as it is illegal to sell such kinds throughout the U.S.A
3. Never Remove Turtles from their Original Habitat
You should not take or remove Turtles from their original habitats as it make them fall homesick. You should only take them if they are injured or sick.
4. Report the Cruelty Cases of Turtles
If you see something harmful happening to Turtles, quickly try and report them to the authorities.
5. Write Letters to Legislators
You can write petitions or requests to Legislators in lieu of asking them to keep sensitive habitats reserved for the Turtles.
6. Providing Emergency Care
You can provide Emergency Care to the Turtles who are crossing roads. Please put them in the same direction that they were going towards otherwise they will come back on the roads.
Alice Hooffmans
2024-11-30
with three of the seven existing species being critically endangered. WWF is committed to stopping the decline of sea turtles and works for the recovery of the species.