Tanzania marks World Turtle Day at Tabora Zoo

TABORA: The National Environment Management Council (NEMC) joined the global community in celebrating World Turtle Day by visiting Tabora Zoo, a wildlife park managed by the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA).

The zoo is home to more than 200 turtles, alongside various other game species.

As part of the celebration, NEMC, in collaboration with TAWA, conducted an educational outreach program on turtle conservation for students from Kaze Hill Secondary School and residents living near the zoo. The aim was to raise awareness about the importance of protecting turtles, many of which are facing the threat of extinction.

Speaking to the media after touring the turtle sanctuary and other conservation areas within the zoo, NEMC’s Acting Central Zone Manager, Novatus Mushi, urged Tanzanians to take environmental conservation seriously to support the survival of turtles. He noted that human activities such as forest burning and plastic pollution are posing serious threats to turtle ecosystems.

Meanwhile, the manager of Tabora Zoo, Abubakari Shaban, emphasized that turtles are protected by the government, and it is illegal to possess them without special permission from TAWA. He encouraged citizens to report sightings of turtles in non-designated areas so that they can be safely relocated to appropriate habitats.

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NEMC used the occasion to reinforce the importance of every citizen’s role in protecting the environment and wildlife habitats, highlighting that avoiding harmful practices helps ensure the survival of species like turtles for future generations.

The Council also stressed the value of conservation in promoting eco-tourism. Protecting turtles and other wildlife not only safeguards national heritage but also enhances Tanzania’s appeal to international tourists interested in unique species and ecosystems.

Overall, the celebration served as a catalyst for raising public awareness on the connection between environmental protection, biodiversity, and sustainable development, reminding all that turtles remain a symbol of the need to preserve our planet’s ecological balance.