Happy World Turtle Day

Key Impact Points:

• World Turtle Day® celebrates 25 years of advocacy and habitat protection for turtles and tortoises worldwide.
• Over 4,000 turtles and tortoises have been rescued and rehomed by American Tortoise Rescue since 1990.
• The 2025 theme “Dancing Turtles Rock” honors progress and calls for continued global action.

A Global Shell-ebration

American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), the nonprofit behind World Turtle Day®, is marking the 25th anniversary of its annual celebration on May 23, 2025—a milestone in global turtle and tortoise conservation.

Founded in 1990 by Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, ATR has worked to protect turtles and tortoises through advocacy, education, and rescue operations. Since its inception, the organization has rehomed over 4,000 turtles and tortoises and assisted law enforcement in confiscating undersized and endangered species.

“When we launched World Turtle Day back in 2000, we never imagined it would become such a powerful force for change,” said Susan Tellem, co-founder and executive director of ATR. “But here we are 25 years later saving these amazing creatures with the help of turtle lovers around the globe. Our intention is that they will survive for generations to come, if we keep fighting to protect them.”

25 Years of Turtle Triumphs

This year’s theme, “Dancing Turtles Rock,” celebrates a legacy of action and calls for renewed commitment. Highlights from the past quarter-century include:

• 2000: The first World Turtle Day® launches a global movement.
• 2005: Continued enforcement of the FDA’s ban on the sale of turtles under four inches, a rule critical to public health.
• 2010: The viral #Shellfie campaign brings turtle awareness to social media.
• 2015: Sea turtles gain increased habitat protections and bycatch-reduction efforts.
• 2020: ATR steps up its opposition to live food markets during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing public health and animal welfare risks.
• 2025: The silver anniversary of World Turtle Day® underscores decades of impact and growing global participation.

A Call to Action

Despite the progress, Tellem warns the mission is far from complete. Turtles and tortoises still face threats from illegal trafficking, climate change, habitat loss, and the exotic pet trade.

“We’ve come so far, but the road ahead is even more critical,” Tellem said. “This year’s theme, ‘Dancing Turtles Rock,’ is about celebrating how far we’ve come—and rallying everyone to keep these incredible animals safe, healthy, and dancing far into the future.”

World Turtle Day® will be celebrated with global events and a strong social media presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, uniting turtle lovers worldwide in a collective show of support and action.