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For Immediate Release |
American Tortoise Rescue Celebrates World Turtle Day May 23 |
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MALIBU, CALIFORNIA, May. 23 -/E-Wire/--
American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a nonprofit organization established in 1990 for the rescue, rehabilitation and
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protection of all species of tortoise and turtle, is sponsoring World Turtle Day to
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help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises, and their disappearing
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habitats around the world.
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ATR offers permanent sanctuary to injured, abandoned and lost turtles and tortoises,
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as well as temporary housing for those confiscated by law enforcement. The ones that
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are too ill or abused for adoption remain in the care of ATR permanently. Since 1990,
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ATR has placed about 1,500 tortoises and turtles in caring homes through their active
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adoption program, according to founders Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, a husband
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and wife team.
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Thompson says that many people mistakenly see these special animals as just "rocks
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with legs,' while, in fact, their existence is a bellwether of survival of life on
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this planet as a whole.
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"These creatures have walked the planet for about 200 million years,' said Thompson. "But in the past 50 years, development, habitat destruction, the cruel pet
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trade and the exotic food industry have killed millions of these endangered
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animals.'
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The rescue enjoys an international reputation among humane organizations, federal and
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state animal protection agencies, reptile lovers and the general public who run into
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problems with sick, neglected or abandoned turtles. ATR assists law enforcement when
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undersized or endangered turtles are confiscated.
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"Outlaw vendors at the beach, at downtown mercados and at Asian live food markets
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throughout the U.S. are a major problem for turtles, especially cute hatchling water
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turtles called red-eared sliders, which have an almost 100% mortality rate due to
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ignorance,' Thompson said.
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"Our ultimate goal is to stop the illegal trade in turtles and tortoises around the
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world. But our first priority are pet stores and reptile shows selling illegal
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hatchling tortoises,' said Thompson. "A 1974 federal law still prohibits the sale of
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any turtle or tortoise under four inches, no matter what the species. People
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unfamiliar with their care run the real risk of salmonella infection.'
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For information, contact ATR at 800/938-3553 or at www.tortoise.com.
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