World Turtle Day - May 23

The purpose of World Turtle Day, May 23, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive

Sri Lanka and Taiwan has some turtle species where Sri Lanka being a tropical island comes in first. Where Sri Lanka having the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) come ashore to nest on the beaches of Sri Lanka. All 5 species are listed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as either critically endangered or endangered.

Above five species are considered as protected species of sea turtles in Taiwan. Among these species, the green turtle is the most abundant and the only one that is still nesting on Taiwan islands these days. 

The world Biodiversity day celebrated recently with the theme of protecting marine Biodiversity, Turtles play a significant role in the marine biodiversity.