World Turtle Day Brings Awareness to the Survival Challenges for Turtles and Tortoises

American Tortoise Rescue, a nonprofit organization established in 1990 for the protection of all tortoise and turtle species, is sponsoring its 11^th annual World Turtle Day today. The day was created as an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world. As founders of ATR, we advocate humane treatment of all animals, including reptiles. Since 1990, ATR has placed about 3,000 tortoises and turtles in caring homes. ATR assists law enforcement when undersized or endangered turtles are confiscated and provides helpful information and referrals to persons with sick, neglected or abandoned turtles. 

World Turtle Day was started to increase respect and knowledge for the world's oldest creatures. These gentle animals have been around for about 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of the exotic food industry, habitat destruction and the cruel pet trade. We are seeing smaller turtles coming into the rescue meaning that older adults are disappearing from the wild, and the breeding stock is drastically reduced.

It is a very sad time for turtles and tortoises of the world. Many sea turtles lost their lives in 2010 thanks to BP’s uncontrolled oil spill off the coast of Louisiana. This is a tragic example of putting profits before preserving our environment.

Experts predict the complete disappearance of one of the world's oldest creatures within the next 50 years. They recommend that adults and children do a few small things that can help to save turtles and tortoises for the next generation:

• Never buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop, as it increases demand from the wild.
• Never remove turtles or tortoises from the wild unless they are sick or injured. 
• If a tortoise is crossing a street or highway, pick it up and send it in the same direction it was going. If you try to make it go back, it will turn right around again.
• Do not keep turtles and other reptiles in schools as they carry potentially fatal bacteria.
• Write letters to legislators asking them to keep sensitive habitat preserved or closed to off-road vehicles, and to prevent off-shore drilling that can lead to more endangered sea turtle deaths.
• Report cruelty or illegal sales of turtles and tortoises to your local animal control shelter. 
• Report the sale of any turtle or tortoise of any kind less than four inches.  This is illegal everywhere in the U.S.

Outlaw vendors at live food markets throughout the U.S. are a major problem for turtles, especially the red eared slider water turtle. These poor creatures have an almost 100 percent mortality rate due to ignorance about their care. Tiny turtles need to be kept in warm water, and must eat under water to survive.

Our ultimate goal is to stop the illegal trade in turtles and tortoises around the world. Our first priority here in the U.S. is to stop pet stores and reptile shows from selling illegal hatchling tortoises and turtles. We also need to educate people who are unfamiliar with their proper care about the real risk of contracting salmonella from turtles. Schools and county fairs are no place for turtles. Wash your hands thoroughly every time you touch a turtle or its water, and do not bring live turtles into homes where children are under the age of 12.

For answers to questions and other information, visit American Tortoise Rescue online at www.tortoise.com or send an e-mail to info@tortoise.com. Follow us on Twitter @tortoiserescue and “Like” us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AmericanTortoiseRescue.

Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson are residents of Malibu Park.