Video highlights from the CTTC-Valley's 2023 Turtle and Tortoise Show.
https://youtu.be/gASPE258rEQ
May. 24, 2023
Last Saturday, and for the first time in four years, the Valley Chapter of the California Turtle and Tortoise Club (CTTC) mounted their live turtle and tortoise show. Prior to the pandemic, the CTTC-Valley show was always the big fundraising and educational event of the year, coinciding with Turtle Month and usually set the weekend either just before or just after World Turtle Day.
Now, in 2023, with the city of Los Angeles finally relaxing their pandemic protocols, this well-loved event is back.
Many of the show's old favorites were back as well. There was Bubba the Sulcata, the official greeter, who roamed the show grounds along with his chaperone. There were also several of the chapter's rescued turtles and tortoises, some waiting to be adopted and others still undergoing rehabilitation but well enough, by the show date, to make an appearance. As always, there was the Adoption and Membership booth, complete with plenty of free, informational handouts.
A special treat this year was a visit from some of the critically endangered Madagascar radiated tortoises that are part of one of the Turtle Conservancy's assurance colonies. This program keeps colonies of turtles and tortoises in different facilities around the world in order to breed and raise new generations of species that are critically endangered or functionally extinct in the wild.
There were other species represented as well, including box turtles, an African leopard tortoise, a South American red-footed tortoise, adult and hatchling Russian tortoises, adult, juvenile and hatchling desert tortoises and a very rare Greek/Egytpian tortoise hybrid.
Another very famous Greek tortoise was also there in spirit. Albert the Tortoise, the Valley Chapter's UK ambassador, appeared in illustrated form on the covers of his four books, signed and donated for the raffle by author Ian Brown.
Kenneth Coscarelli, DVM, a reptile specialist from the Newberry Park Veterinary Clinic returned again this year to man the "Ask the Vet" booth. Throughout the day, Dr. Coscarelli answered many turtle and tortoise questions.
And of course with so many tortoises, there would need to be a few hares. Adopt a Bunny Rabbit, the rabbit rescue and adoption non-profit had a very informative booth along with three live rabbits.
As part of the chapter's fundraising efforts, there were items for sale at the Tortuga Gift Shop. There was also a raffle with many unique prizes. All gift shop items and raffle prizes were donated by chapter members or by the community at large. Funds will be used for educational outreach and to help rehabilitate and rehome the sick and injured turtles and tortoises surrendered to the chapter.
Gift Shop Display
Gift Shop Display
Raffle Prizes
If you'd like to learn about the Valley-Chapter's next Turtle and Tortoise show, check their special Show Page and/or Facebook Page for updates. You might also enjoy becoming a member since, in addition to show update e-mails and a subscription to the Tortuga Gazette, there are also meetings, visiting speakers, fieldtrips and more, as well as access to many knowledgeable people who can answer your questions and help you with all the best practices for keeping your own turtle or tortoise happy and healthy.
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