| American Tortoise Rescue, a nonprofit organization | | | | - Never buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop as it |
| established 20 years ago for the protection of all | | | | increases demand from the wild. |
| species of tortoise and turtle, is sponsoring its 10th | | | | - Never remove turtles or tortoises from the wild |
| annual World Turtle Day on May 23rd. Featured in | | | | unless they are sick or injured. |
| Chase's Book of Annual Events, the day was created | | | | - If a tortoise is crossing a busy street, pick it up and |
| as an annual observance to help people celebrate and | | | | send it in the same direction it was going – if you |
| protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing | | | | try to make it go back, it will turn right around again. |
| habitats around the world. Susan Tellem and Marshall | | | | - Write letters to legislators asking them to keep |
| Thompson, founders of ATR, advocate humane | | | | sensitive habitat preserved or closed to off road |
| treatment of all animals, including reptiles. Since | | | | vehicles, and to prevent off shore drilling that can |
| 1990, ATR has placed about 3,000 tortoises and | | | | lead to more endangered sea turtle deaths. |
| turtles in caring homes. ATR assists law | | | | - Report cruelty or illegal sales of turtles and tortoises |
| enforcement when undersize or endangered turtles | | | | to your local animal control shelter. |
| are confiscated and provides helpful information and | | | | - Report the sale of any turtle or tortoise of any |
| referrals to persons with sick, neglected or | | | | kind less than four inches. This is illegal everywhere |
| abandoned turtles. | | | | in the U.S. |
| World Turtle Day was started to increase respect | | | | Illegal vendors at downtown Mercados and Asian live |
| and knowledge for the world's oldest creatures. | | | | food markets throughout the U.S. are a major |
| These gentle animals have been around for about | | | | problem for turtles, especially the ‘red eared |
| 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as | | | | slider' water turtle. These poor creatures have an |
| a result of the exotic food industry, habitat | | | | almost 100 percent mortality rate due to ignorance |
| destruction and the cruel pet trade, Tellem says. | | | | about their care Tellem says. Tiny turtles need to |
| Rescues are seeing smaller turtles coming meaning | | | | be kept in warm water, and must eat under water |
| that older adults are disappearing from the wild, and | | | | to survive. |
| the breeding stock is drastically reduced. It is a very | | | | She says that their ultimate goal is to stop the illegal |
| sad time for turtles and tortoises of the world. | | | | trade in turtles and tortoises around the world. The |
| She added that many beautiful sea turtles are | | | | first priority here in the U.S. is to stop pet stores and |
| losing their lives this month thanks to BP's | | | | reptile shows from selling illegal hatchling tortoises and |
| uncontrolled oil spill off the coast of Louisiana. It's a | | | | turtles of all species under four inches which is |
| tragic example of putting profits before preserving | | | | against Federal law. They also need to educate |
| our environment. | | | | people who are unfamiliar with their proper care |
| Tellem and Thompson note that experts predict the | | | | about the real risk of contracting salmonella from |
| complete disappearance of these creatures within the | | | | turtles. Schools and county fairs are no place for |
| next 50 years. They recommend that adults and | | | | turtles. Wash your hands thoroughly every time you |
| children do a few small things that can help to save | | | | touch a turtle or its water, and do not bring turtles |
| turtles and tortoises for the next generation. | | | | into homes where children are under the age of 12. |