Deep turns turtle with special events

The event aims to highlight the plight of turtles worldwide and the need to help conserve them.

Curator Katy Duke said: “Both freshwater and marine turtles are facing a multitude of threats around the globe and as we have two freshwater species here at The Deep, we wanted to help raise awareness of the need conserve these magnificent animals.”

She added: “Turtles are an ancient species that have been around for 250 million years yet in the last 30 years human exploitation has resulted in the extinction of many species with many more in immediate danger.

“They are threatened with overfishing for food and their supposed medical value as well as the destruction of their habitats. Our guides will be running turtle badge making sessions whilst talking turtle to help visitors understand more about the lives of these amazing creatures.”

The Deep’s turtle species are the yellow spotted Amazon river turtle and the Geoffroy’s side-necked turtle, both found in South American river systems.