(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Tuesday is World Turtle Day, and it’s bringing Chicago's own Chonkosaurus back into the spotlight.
“Oh my gosh, I couldn’t believe it,” recalled Susan Tellem, founder and executive director of the California-based American Tortoise Rescue.
She told WBBM that Chonkosauras — the nickname for Chicago's celebrity turtle spotted in the north branch of the Chicago River — is worth celebrating
“I see things all the time that knock me for a loop with turtles and tortoises, but this guy is gigantic,” she said.
Tellem said Chonkosaurus’ appearance was just in time for World Turtle Day, which American Tortoise Rescue created and launched in 2001.
“It’s a day for fundraising and getting people to acknowledge these wonderful creatures that have survived the dinosaurs,” Tellem said. “I’m happy to have new people listening in Chicago who haven’t thought about turtles in the past.”
She added that turtles have a lot going on beneath their shell.
“They are really smart. If you have a turtle and let it be, really spend time with it, you will understand how smart they are,” Tellem said. “They recognize you once they know you.”
And again, she said Chicago's most talked about turtle is pretty terrific.
“[I was] stunned, myself, at the size,” Tellem said.
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