World Turtle Day!

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Published in Boating

World Turtle Day was founded in 2000 and is sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue (ATR). It was started to increase respect and knowledge for the world’s oldest creature. These animals have been around for more than 200 million years but are disappearing quickly due to their loss of habitat and pet trade. The day was created to increase knowledge and respect for the turtles and tortoises, and to encourage human action to help them survive, thrive and to ensure that they are protected.

Turtles face a variety of threats in their everyday lives. Many turtle species are decreasing in the wild due to habitat loss and poaching for food and the exotic pet trade. There are a lot of reasons as to why the turtles need our help. Every year hundreds of thousands of turtles are caught up in fishing nets that were intended for other species. Sea turtles need to reach the surface to breathe, so once they are trapped in these nets it can spell the end. Turtle meat and eggs are a source of food and income for many people all around the world, and although the practice is illegal it is extremely hard to regulate. Turtles rely on beaches to nest, but increasingly all around the world these beaches are being destroyed or altered by humans. This leaves the turtles nowhere to lay their eggs and as a result the population suffers. Turtles are directly affected by a change in the global temperature as there is a tendency for more females to be born in warmer climates meaning the male population has declined. This affects the normal ratio of male to female turtles and means that future generations could suffer.

World Turtle Day is a great time to learn facts about turtles. This day gives everyone the chance to help raise awareness of the plight of these incredible animals, and to provide knowledge about how we can help the turtles and tortoises to survive and thrive out in the wild.

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