Today is World Turtle Day, Happy World Turtle Day! đ˘
World Turtle Day is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. World Turtle Day began in 2000 by the American Tortoise Rescue. The American Tortoise Rescue is an animal sanctuary which has been rescuing tortoises and turtles since 1990 - they also advocate for the humane treatment of all animals, including the world's turtle species.
World Turtle Day is now celebrated by lots of different animal and wildlife charities, including the WWF, BirdLife and many more. It's a day that's now become an annual celebration.
World Turtle Day is now celebrated every 23rd of May every year.
The aim of celebrating these beautiful animals is so that people can learn about these animals, help them to thrive and survive in the wild and show kindness to them.
It's also a day that we can raise awareness about turtles.
There are many different types of turtles. Sea turtles is one of them. Out of the seven different species of sea turtles, six of them are threatened with extinction or endangered today.
One of the world's most endangered turtle species is the Yangtze giant softshell turtles. The Yangtze giant softshell turtle is very rare and on the edge of extinction today. Last year, the last ever female Yangtze giant softshell turtle died, today, there are now only three of them left - all three of the Yangze giant softshell turtles which remain are all males.
It's not all bad news for turtles, there have been two positive stories about these animals recently. In one of the positive stories, hundreds of baby turtles which are vulnerable to extinction hatched in India. And, the second positive story lately about turtles is that there have been new hatchlings of critically endangered royal turtles.
Happy World Turtle Day! đ˘
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