BRISTOL ZOO CAMPAIGN
This summer a previous resident of the Sea Turtle Rescue centre in Athens, Toby, has found fame as part of the summer campaign at Bristol Zoo Gardens in Southern England. As part of the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) Shellshock campaign running across many European Zoos this summer, Bristol Zoo has been working to promote a greater understanding of the threats facing turtles, tortoise and terrapins.
The story of Toby’s rescue, recovery and release was used to help visitors to understand the threats to sea turtles and how they come to be residents in a rescue centre like that run in Athens.
The zoos campaign also got visitors to join in their very own turtle beach conservation patrol and identify situations that help or harm nesting and baby turtles. This together with a whole variety of workshops, games and competitions all contributed to create a fun learning environment where visitors could find out more about turtles and what positive actions to take to help with their conservation.
Many visitors to the zoo said they took regular holidays to Greece. We hope that what they have learned here at Bristol Zoo will help them to be responsible tourists next time they visit turtle nesting beaches on their travels.
Nicola Merrison Summer Education Assistant (Bristol Zoo Gardens, UK)
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