Thursday 23 May marks World Turtle Day, and Melbourne Aquarium will be honouring these beautiful creatures with an entire day filled with special activities and celebrations, while communicating the ways we can help to protect these beautiful creatures for future generations to come.
Head down to Melbourne Aquarium and get involved in the festivities, including heaps of exciting turtle art and craft activities and special presentations focusing on the serious plight facing turtle species around the globe.
All marine turtle species are experiencing serious threats to their survival, including pollution, habitat loss and overharvesting. World Turtle Day aims to raise awareness about turtle conservation issues and help educate visitors on how we can keep turtles in the wild safe and healthy.
Melbourne Aquarium is proud to be voluntarily involved in the rehabilitation and release of sea turtles under government authorisation.
There is one Loggerhead Turtle currently being rehabilitated at Melbourne Aquarium. Affectionately nicknamed Rosie, the turtle was rescued off Tasmania’s northern beaches in November last year. The aim is for the turtle to now improve its fitness and overall health.
History of World Turtle Day
World Turtle Day was initiated in 2000 by the American Tortoise Rescue, a turtle and tortoise rescue organisation founded in 1990 in Malibu, California. The group brings attention to turtle conservation issues and highlights ways each of us can help protect these gentle but jeopardised animals.