Hundreds of Turtle Lovers Walk, Run to Support Reptiles

by Tony Vindell/LFN

Hundreds of turtle lovers from throughout the Rio Grande Valley participated in the annual Ridley Rush held at Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville.

The event was held in conjunction with World Ocean Days which took place Saturday, June 8.

Some 900 people from a couple of years old to adults and a few senior citizens either walked or ran about a a mile from the entrance on East Ringgold Street to the zoo via East Seventh Street to a dinosaur exhibit.

Each registered participant received a medal at the finish line and was able to wander through the zoo afterwards.

“I am here with my son,” Trish Varela said. “We are raising awareness for these turtles.”

She said they like to participate in the event because it’s a worthy cause.

Her son, Gerardo, agreed.

“Yes it is,” he said. “It’s very fun and I love to run.”

Janie Barron of Harlingen and Laura Camacho of San Benito said this was their second year to participate in a Ridley Rush.

“We did not think it was going to be held because of the heat,” Barron said, ”but it happened.”

The Ridley Rush, named after the endangered sea turtles, is held to support these reptiles whose future is vital from conservation programs carried out in the United States and Mexico.