(13/05/2011)
The Park will join Sea Life centres across Europe holding ‘Turtle Fest’ turtle festivals this May half term.
Turtle Fest will see the Park host a range of fun conservation lead activities, as well as raising money for endangered Loggerhead turtles in Greece.
Part of the activities taking place at Weymouth Sea Life Park during the week is to make the Worlds Largest Papier Mache Turtle Shell.
“We wanted kids to get hands on making something fun while teaching them about the importance of looking after their environment and recycling.” Said Fiona Smith, Curator of Displays
“We are also going for a world record attempt” She continued
“Therefore we are asking the public for as many unwanted newspapers we can get our hands on”
“Last year we were kindly donated hundreds of unwanted towels for our 5 rescued disabled turtles. So we are hoping for the same support/response this time round.”
Other activities will include playing an instrument in our “Recycled Rubbish Band”, limbo competition, turtle conservation talks, turtle games and turtle quiz.
Visitors will also be invited to join in Sea Life’s ‘Make a turtle Smile’ campaign and upload a photo of themselves pulling a turtle smile with their forefingers to the ‘Make a Turtle Smile’ facebook page at www.facebook.com/visitsealife.
In partnership with NGO group Earth Sea and Sky, Sea Life centres are urgently raising funds to build a turtle rescue centre on the Greek island of Zakynthos.
Zakynthos holds the largest number of Loggerhead turtle nests in the Mediterranean and has seen generations of Loggerheads return annually to breed and lay eggs.
The high concentration of gathering turtles results in casualties with turtles being injured in boat collisions, entanglement in fishing gear or swallowing fish hooks.
The nearest turtle rescue centre is currently and eight hour journey to Athens. With many turtles needing emergency treatment, a turtle hospital on the island itself will literally be a lifesaver for injured Loggerheads.
The Sea Life network has raised €140,000 towards the rescue centre and aims to raise an additional €230,000 in time to get it up and running this year.
If you have any unwanted newspapers please can you either drop them off at Weymouth SEA LIFE Park directly or post them into – Newspaper Donation, Weymouth SEA LIFE Park, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX. Or for more information call 01305 761 070 and ask for Emma Vagg.
Turtle Fest will run at Weymouth Sea Life Park from 28th May to 5th June. Entrance to Turtle Fest is included in the entrance price. Visitors are advised to check www.sealife.co.uk for further information about activities.