TSA UPDATE: Madagascar radiated tortoise seizure
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Over the past several days, our TSA-Madagascar veterinarian Ny Aina Tiana Rak and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust veterinarian Natacha Rasolozaka have led a small team including “Villages des Tortues” staff, TSA staff, and volunteers at the SOPTOM-CRCC—Villages des Tortues facility in Ifaty, Madagascar. There they have been working tirelessly to effectively process the nearly 10,000 Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) rescued from smugglers! All tortoises have been receiving evaluations, in-processing, hydration, food, and triage. The veterinarians’ evaluations and criteria have identified nearly 1,000 tortoises in need of immediate medical treatment—a massive undertaking. To add to the crisis, another 63 Radiated Tortoises were seized from smugglers just two days ago! These tortoises were brought to the team in Ifaty to receive treatment alongside their tortoise kin. But help is on the way!!!
In the United States and elsewhere abroad, the TSA and our zoological and aquarium partners in The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), as well as non-accredited zoological facilities, and conservation organizations—24 in all—are mobilizing teams of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, pathologists, husbandry technicians, communications specialists, additional support personnel, and a mountain of medical and husbandry supplies, to assist the ground forces in Madagascar. These units will descend upon Madagascar in structured and highly-coordinated 2-week “waves” to ensure a seamless transition between support staff. This Friday morning, April 20th, the first team of 13 turtle experts will fly to Madagascar, laden with supplies, and a wildlife-warrior mentality!
And YOU CAN HELP! The efforts to save the tortoises cannot occur without YOUR SUPPORT! You can celebrate #internationalturtleandtortoiseweek in the best way possible by DONATING today and SAVING THE LIVES of critically endangered Radiated Tortoises!
(Original post here)
Text by Jordan Gray, Turtle Survival Alliance.
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Photo from Turtle Survival Alliance.
