Turtle Day at Turtle Bay brings out many shelled reptiles!
REDDING, Calif.-- — Monday is World Turtle Day!
It's the 23rd year of the event, and Redding's very own, Turtle Bay Exploration Park got a head start, with its own exhibit-- showcasing the different species of turtles it keeps year-round.
The Western Pond Turtle is the only species native to the Northstate.
Turtle Bay got its name, according to Park experts, from the large number of turtles that used to sit on logs and float down the Sacramento River flood plain before Shasta Dam was built.
KRCR spoke to one of the leaders of the event before the show started about conservation.
"There are things that we can do to help such as not purchasing [turtles] for pets," said Associate Curator of the Turtle Bay Animal Program Adrienne John.
"Turtles actually don’t make very good pets and often times they can live over 100 years. You have to put those turtles in your will," she continued.
John emphasized that the animals need a lot of specialized requirements and Turtle Bay gets calls from turtle owners that can no longer take care of them, forcing them to find the animals a new home.
John says the best thing to do if you see a wild turtle in your backyard is to leave it alone-- and call Turtle Bay.
