Get your game faces on and prepare for an aquatic race longer than any marathon you’ve ever seen. No boats or even floaties are allowed in this particular race, and the participants are free to swim wherever they desire. The Sea Turtle Conservancy’s annual Tour de Turtles starts on August 1^st, and our green sea turtle, Shelldon, is in it to win it. The Tour de Turtles is a migration marathon where 13 sea turtles of varying species go head to head to see who can cover the farthest distance in about three months. A green sea turtle can grow up to five feet long, and weigh up to 700 pounds, but that in no way stops them from migrating across the ocean and back. Another green sea turtle took second place in last year’s Tour de Turtles after traveling over 1,700 miles. This year, we are cheering Shelldon on to place for his species once again.

But Shelldon isn’t just swimming for the glory of winning; he swims with a cause. Like his competition, Shelldon is listed internationally as an endangered species. There has been a rapid decline in sea turtle population in the last decade, mainly because of human-caused threats to their survival. Adult harvest for consumption has made a particular impact on green sea turtles. Although they are facing the risk of extinction, they are still hunted for both their meat and eggs. In some cultures, religious customs call for the consumption of turtles. During just one week of religious celebration in Mexico, 5,000 turtles are consumed, and with a population of 88,000 worldwide, that rate is extremely detrimental to the species. Shelldon understands that not everyone knows he is facing extinction, so he swims to educate people on the plight of his species and other sea turtle species too.

With education, government regulations, ecotourism around sea turtles, and the patrolling of beaches, a major difference can be made in the decline of sea turtles. Beyond just winning this race, Shelldon strives to win the causes challenge. Each turtle is swimming for their own cause, and whoever gains the most donations will win this challenge. Although we at Holbrook Travel can’t help Shelldon swim his marathon, we can help him win this particular race, but we need your help. Once the Tour de Turtles begins, people can visit the event website and choose to donate to his cause.  With a donation of $30, you can Adopt-A-Turtle and become a member of the STC. You will also get a personalized Adopt-A-Turtle certificate, a colorful logo decal, a colorful magnet, and STC’s Sea Turtle Conservation Guide, all presented in a sea turtle folder. Donations will help to make sure that Shelldon, and sea turtles like him, will continue to inhabit our ocean waters all over the world.