Skip to content

Nature

Celebrating Turtles: World Turtle Day 2011

by Ruth Hendry 23 May 2011
Celebrating Turtles: World Turtle Day 2011
etadshow468 -->

Q. What do turtles use to communicate?

A. A shell phone

OK, so the point of World Turtle Day 2011 isn't to tell bad jokes. But that's one way of getting the message across!

Sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue since 2000, World Turtle Day aims to increase our knowledge of, and respect for, turtles and tortoises. It also aims to encourage human actions to help turtles and tortoises survive and thrive.

Turtles have been around for about 200 million years, but many species are rapidly declining due to overfishing, habitat destruction and the pet trade. Now, with around 50% of all turtles and tortoises considered threatened, we need to celebrate these ancient species and concentrate on ensuring their survival.

People all over the globe celebrate World Turtle Day, in a variety of ways. In Costa Rica, authorities are using this day to appeal against overfishing and implement stricter guidelines for those who disobey fishing quotas. Every year, 250,000 marine turtles drown in fishing lines and nets. Despite protection within nature reserves, turtles are particularly vulnerable to overfishing as they are migratory species and often swim long distances to lay their eggs.

In honour of those 'heroes in a half shell', Encyclopaedia Brittanica lets the turtles speak for themselves today. Even RuneScape, an online gaming website, is getting in on the action. In possibly the most unusual celebration of World Turtle Day that I found, RuneScape are offering a variety of turtle based challenges: ''For the combat-focused we'll be helping the turtles win their age old feud with the Gnome Battle Tortoises by defeating as many of them as we can.'' If even online gamers are getting in on the turtle supporting action, there's nothing stopping you! Whether you adopt a turtle through MCS or WWF, or whether you wear your half shell to work, do something today to support the turtles.

For more information and to find out how you can help, visit the World Turtle Day Facebook Page.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping