World Turtle Day is an annual observance held every May 23rd. It began in 2000 and is sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue.[1] The day was created as a yearly observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats, as well as to encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.[2][3][4] A study on the effects of biodiversity awareness days listed World Turtle Day as an example of how they increase the internet search traffic on the protected species. [5]
Myrtle the Turtle was introduced to Hart House almost a year ago by Tarah. The residents, staff and visitors are finding the experience worthwhile on many levels for many different reasons: observation: behaviour: intelligence: beautiful colours on shell and underside.