“Turtle Treasures: Celebrating World Turtle Day” 🐢🌍

World Turtle Day is an annual observance celebrated on May 23rd, dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation and protection of turtles and tortoises around the world¹. Established by the American Tortoise Rescue in 2000, this day aims to highlight the threats these creatures face, such as habitat destruction, illegal trade, and pollution².

In Malaysia, marine turtles are considered a national heritage, and the country is home to four of the seven known marine turtle species in the world³. These include the green, hawksbill, olive ridley, and leatherback turtles. Malaysia’s rich biodiversity and important habitats, such as nesting beaches and feeding grounds, make it a crucial area for turtle conservation efforts³.

Activities on World Turtle Day often include educational programs, research activities, and community events to promote the humane treatment of turtles and tortoises. People are encouraged to participate by dressing up as turtles, saving turtles caught on highways, and adopting turtles from rehabilitation centers². The day serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect these ancient creatures and their habitats, ensuring that they continue to thrive for generations to come.

Let’s all “shellebrate” and contribute to the conservation of these shelled wonders, not just on World Turtle Day, but every day⁴. 🐢🌏