Un guscio di consapevolezza: informati e proteggi le tartarughe – A shell of awareness: inform yourself and protect turtles
Given the alarming number of abandoned terrestrial and aquatic turtles in Italy this summer, our volunteers have been working tirelessly to rescue these animals. Many of the abandoned turtles belong to protected species, such as the Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni), or to invasive species like the Trachemys scripta.
To comply with Italian law, all these turtles must be registered, marked, and identified, however they are more and more often abandoned without being declared and are frequently found injured.
To address this issue and for this World Animal Day 2024, I propose creating an online guide to educate the public about turtle laws and regulations in Italy. The guide should also provide clear instructions on how to legally acquire and care for turtles, which is the needed documentation, as well as how to find reputable sanctuaries or institutions if an individual can no longer keep their tortoises. By raising awareness and providing guidance, we can help reduce the number of abandoned turtles and ensure their well-being.
- Contact Name: Valentina Bagnato
- Contact Email: international@oipa.org
- Location: Italy
- Organised by: OIPA - International Organization for Animal Protection