The Annual Turtle Day Race
by Phillip Jablonski

The preparation for the annual Turtle Day Race begins with the mailing out of applications and regulations to all Joshua Tree residents, so they may obtain the required permit. After the applicants have obtained the permit, they can collect and temporarily have possession of a desert turtle for a period of three months. During this three month period of time, the applicant must care for and feed the turtle. Most turtles are housed in an enclosure, and must be provided food, water, and a shade area; also, during this period of time, all sick or injured turtles must be reorted to the Park Rangers, so they can be checked by a veterinarian, and receive medical treatment if necessary.

As the Turtle Day Race approaches all turtles must be registered three days before the race day; announcements are made to inform tourists, and surrounding residents of the date of the race, which is held in Joshua Tree, a small desert community located sixty miles from palm Springs in the high desert area. The town is part of the Joshua Tree National Monument, and all animals and plants fall under the protection of federal law.

When you enter Joshua Tree you are greeted by a larger-than-life size statue of a desert turtle commonly known as a tortoise. Adult Desert Turtles can range in size from twelve inches to fifteen inches long, and approximately six to ten inches across, and their shells are about a quarter of an inch thick, with square designs. Outsiders refer to them as "Box Turtles" because of the design on their shells. The underside of the shell is less than a quarter of an inch think; it is the most vulnerable part of their shells. The shell is a protective housing for the turtles body, and there are holes that allow the head, legs and tail to stick out from the shell's underside-edge. When in danger the turtle can retract all of its bodily extremities into the shell.

On the day of the race a small parade is held on the main street of Joshua Tree; this is when the outsiders are easily spotted. Locals are already sporting badges, "I take pride in my turtle," and most are wearing western attire; outsiders on the other hand, are mostly wearing shorts or non-western slacks and shirts. During the parade a small posse follows a tiny travelling jail which proceeds along the parade's path. If an outsider is spotted not wearing a "I take pride in my turtle" badge, he or she is arrested and placed in the jail; after a short distance the outsider is released. To protect against arrest tourists can purchase a badge from a posse member before the race. It is all good clean fun.

In preparation for the race all turtles are taken to the race area, and as the starting time approaches, small rivalries breakout, and bets are made. The rivalries are broken up by the ringing of the bell announcing that all turtles must be presented to the starting judge. The starting Judge positions all the turtles in the center of a large ring which is marked on the ground, and the turtles are covered with a box; this causes the turtles to withdrawl their heads into their shells. After about five minutes the starting bell is rung, and the judge lifts the bos; the first turtle to cross the ring which encircles them is declared the winner. The Park Ranger then removes all the turtles, and verification is made to ensure that all the turtles have been recovered, and all painted numbers are removed from the shells. Tearful farewells follow as entrants say good bye to their temporary friends. The rangers place the turtles into a truck for transportation to a safer natural habitat in the distant desert wilderness.

The purpose of the Turtle Day event is to entertain the tourists and surrounding locals; the donations and the sales of souvenirs assist in maintaining programs for the prevention of acciental death, and for the research of the tortoise population, for preservation of these tiny, odd, and curiously armoured creatures.