Save the Turtles!

Those “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” are doing more than big box office--they’re helping save real-life turtles.

Save-the-turtles benefit screenings held last month in Washington and San Jose raised approximately $10,000 for turtle aid, according to the recipients--D.C.’s Center for Marine Conservation and San Francisco’s Earth Island Institute. Additionally, some 40 theaters showing “TMNJ” are holding ongoing fund-raising activities and offering information on behalf of turtle conservation programs. (Locally, those include AMC’s Fullerton 8, Orange Mall and Santa Ana Mainplace Theaters.)

Turtle creators Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman are in discussions with the staff at the Center for Marine Conservation about “doing conservation-themed stories in the (Ninja Turtle TV) cartoon series,” according to Marydele Donnelly, director of its Sea Turtle Conservation Program. “We’re really pleased with the interest the movie is generating.”

Ernie Reyes Jr., the young martial artist who performs as one of the film turtles, is helping the Earth Island Institute.

SI Stacy Jenel Smith