Save The Turtles

Gill Sherry

When I was a child, Mother’s Day was a big event. My sister and I would make a card for our mum, present her with a bunch of flowers and ensure she felt special. Father’s Day was also a ‘thing’ but it was minor in comparison. As a family, we always celebrated Pancake Day (of course) on Shrove Tuesday, my favourite being served with the traditional lemon and sugar topping. Saint Valentine’s Day didn’t appear on my radar until I reached my teenage years and I suddenly became desperate to receive an anonymous card through the door!

As I grew older, I became aware of other ‘days’ being acknowledged, some more worthwhile than others. National Siblings Day and Teacher’s Day, for example, seemed to make sense. National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, less so.

The sceptical side of me put the sudden invention of these celebratory days down to commercial exploitation, large monetary enterprises encouraging the public to spend their hard-earned income on gift cards, cookies, or whatever else they wanted to sell for a quick, often significant, profit. I mean, who else could possibly benefit from National Sticky Toffee Pudding Day?

As a result, I refused to be taken in by National Fish and Chip Day, International Waffle Day or Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (seriously?). Other days of celebration, however, have begun to catch my attention. I could easily be persuaded to part with my cash on International Polar Bear Day and Bat Appreciation Day if it meant I was helping these particular mammals.

In fact, there is one particular day in May that has really piqued my interest. World Turtle Day takes place on 23rd May each year. It aims to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.

I was lucky enough to visit Sri Lanka in 2016 and witness first-hand the efforts certain conservationists go to in order to protect these vulnerable creatures. Sea turtle eggs are collected from beaches where they are at risk from poachers and predators (land, sea and air). Once hatched, the tiny reptiles are nurtured before being released into the ocean. Without this essential intervention, many would perish.

Of course, World Turtle Day isn’t just about sea turtles. All species of turtle and tortoise are included in this yearly observance. As well as encouraging us to celebrate and protect these shellcovered beauties, it aims to increase awareness of their disappearing habitats around the world.

The advice given to those wishing to embrace World Turtle Day includes never buying a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop or market. This simply increases demand from the wild and lines the pockets of poachers. Similarly, they should never be removed from the wild unless they are sick or injured. It is essential that illegal sales of turtles or tortoises is reported and stopped, along with cruelty to these fragile creatures.

World Turtle Day is a non-profit organisation spreading awareness on illegal pet trade, live food markets and habitat destruction. You can follow them on Instagram @worldturtleday or make a donation via their website www.worldturtleday.org/make-a-donation. That has to be better than eating ice-cream for breakfast!