World Turtle Day 2020
I have always been a proponent of turles and tortises. Indeed, from early childhood I was intrigued by these reptiles sporting shells of various characters and made it a point to keep one around when I could ... and did frequently.To this day, I practice a 'catch and release' program whereby those turtles I catch emperiled on public streets and roads are placed gently into the back of my pickup truck and let loose at the back of my acre lot — often with a head of lettuce and a squirt of the hose — to resume life on their own.
I've never encountered a previously released animal in my yard but I figure they MUST fair far better than being left on a busy road in heavy traffic.
How often I've seen a turtle ... or two or three smashed to smithereens where SC 3 meets US 321 on the bridge over Bull Swamp Creek by the rumbling tires of a passing 18 wheeler. This is why I try to make that preemtive strike for their survival.
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However, their right to live eclipses that aspect of their existence without question.
Today is World Turtle Day. It is held under the auspices of American Tortoise Rescue on each May 23 since the year 2000.
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It is by and large a vehicle event for bringing attention to, and increasing respect and knowledge for turtles and tortoises. It also brings to the fore a need to encourage human action in aiding their survival and thriving.
I have noticed some individuals celebrating or just marking the occasion by wearing turtle costumes or shades of green. I'll stick to my ongoing rescue program inasmuch as green chiffon never did much for me on the fashion front.
Happy World Turtle Day.