In Canada, beavers and Blanding’s turtles make an interesting pair
Beavers build dams, which create wetlands, to increase their food resource area and protect themselves from predators. In addition to regulating, filtering and purifying runoff water, these wetlands are also useful for other species; they promote the nesting and feeding of waterfowl, and also benefit several types of fish, amphibians, reptiles and even some mammals. A few years ago, a study on the movement of Blanding’s turtle, a species designated threatened in Quebec since 2009, revealed that more than 90 per cent of their habitat is in ponds created, maintained or regulated by beavers.
However useful they may be, these dams can suddenly give way, flooding land and infrastructure. This is why they are sometimes destroyed by local residents. The option of destroying dams, besides being effective only in the short term (since beavers will return to rebuild their dam if they find the environment favourable) is a threat to Blanding’s turtle’s survival.
Job Openings with theTurtleRoom
TheTurtleRoom is looking for several individuals passionate about turtle conservation to join our volunteer staff team in a variety of specific roles! Two of these openings relate directly to this World Turtle News blog feature. We also have several other opportunities available for a variety of talents. Please check out this page for more details on each position, the requirements, and responsibilities. We look forward to hearing from you.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
China: WildAid and Eddie Peng team up to ask citizens to help protect China’s sea turtles (see also here)
USA: Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island reworks Annual Turtle Crawl as family event, begins 03/09, participants get free admission
USA: Sea Turtle Hospital of Topsail Beach, NC introduces new patients, program plans for the near future
Crime & Punishment
New Zealand: turtles stolen from Flanshaw Early Childhood Centre in Auckland between 03/05 and 03/06, culprits still at large
Education
USA: Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.) in NC makes visit to Hardy Elementary School, educates and entertains
USA: meet Sally the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, TN (VIDEO)
Health & Medical
USA: Mote Marine Laboratory in FL treats Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) after swallowing balloon, washing ashore
Miscellany
South Africa: check out artist Giffy Duminy’s new 3-story-tall mural in Durban, efforts to protect sea turtles in the area
Did You Know…
Unlike box turtles, the Blanding’s turtle can only close the front part of its lower shell (known as the plastron) in order to protect itself from predators, not the the rear part exposing its back legs.
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Photo from Andrew C.
