Every year, World Turtle Day is celebrated on May 23 in several countries around the world to raise awareness about the threats facing turtles and tortoises and to promote their conservation. As per records, World Turtle Day was established in 2000 by the American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a nonprofit organization. The day was created as a yearly observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world. According to the official website, ATR has placed about 4,000 tortoises and turtles in caring homes since 1990. ATR assists law enforcement when undersize or endangered turtles are confiscated and provides referrals to persons with sick, neglected or abandoned turtles. From Painted Terrapin To Radiated Tortoise; 5 Endangered Turtle Species That May Become Extinct in Our Lifetime (Watch Videos).

World Turtle Day 2024 Date and Theme

World Turtle Day 2024 will be celebrated on Thursday, May 23. There is no special theme assigned this year, but the focus of the global observance remains to spread awareness about turtles.

World Turtle Day History

World Turtle Day celebration began in 2000 and is sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue. The day was created as a yearly observance to help people around the world celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats. It also encourages human action to help the turtles survive and thrive. A study on the effects of biodiversity awareness days listed World Turtle Day as an example of how they increase internet search traffic on the protected species. Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, founders of ATR and World Turtle Day, advocate the humane treatment of all animals, including reptiles. Turtle Graveyard in Indian Ocean! Spooky Skeletons of Sea Turtles Found in Underwater Caves in Malaysia (Watch Video).

World Turtle Day Significance

Turtles and tortoises are among the oldest living reptiles, having existed for over 200 million years, but they face numerous threats, including habitat destruction, poaching, the illegal pet trade, and climate change. World Turtle Day aims to encourage human action to help turtles survive and thrive. The International Day is promoted by dressing up as turtles, wearing green summer dresses, saving turtles caught on highways, research activities, and adopting turtles or tortoises from rehabilitation centers. The term ‘World Turtle Day’ is trademarked by Susan Tellem of Malibu, California.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 23, 2024 01:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).