The Pondcast, Episode 97

Anthony was the "Best of 2017" Editor's Choice for "Chelonia Personality of the Year" by The Reptile Report. As the Senior Director of theTurtleRoom, Anthony oversees the Animal Husbandry Department and all captive conservation programs. Anthony has also written a book on the Geoemyda genus, published by Living Art Publishing as part of their “Turtles of the World” series, and several articles in magazines such as including REPTILES, The BATAGUR, Testudo (Italian), and RADIATA (German). Anthony has a B.A. from Rhode Island College and works in management for VCA Animal Hospitals. He lives in the Northeast with his wife, Shannon, and daughters, Cambria and Maddalena. He and his family are often on the move, giving turtle presentations at schools, nature and science centers, herpetological societies and conferences.

Kevin is the Video Production Coordinator for theTurtleRoom. He is responsible for creating and producing (with the help of other team members) the educational content that you see on theTurtleRoom's YouTube channel and also provides support to the Senior Director. Kevin was introduced to turtles at a very young age from his older brother who kept them as pets. Growing up there were always turtles in and out of the house. Having spent twenty years filming and editing skateboarding, he now brings his passion for film to chelonians. Kevin primarily works with Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin ssp.) and North American Box Turtles (Terrepene sp.). Kevin's passions outside of turtles are his family, skateboarding, biking, kayaking, hiking and film. Kevin lives in the Northeast with his wife, two daughters, three dogs, and their bale of turtles.

Steve is the President, Executive Director, and Founder of theTurtleRoom (tTR), a husband, teacher, athlete, and musician. He has over a decade and a half of experience with turtle husbandry and has worked with more than 50 different species. As President and Executive Director, Steve has overall strategic and operational responsibility for tTR’s staff, programs, finances, expansion, and execution/achievement of its mission and goals. He also takes on leadership and assistant roles on individual projects within the four departments of tTR. Steve completed his Master of Education Degree in Mathematics in 2018 and holds two Bachelor of Art Degrees in Music and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (the equivalent of a third Bachelor’s degree). When Steve is not working on projects for tTR, he can be found teaching, relaxing with his wife Lisa, watching sports, playing music, or building LEGO Star Wars.

EmmaLee began working with theTurtleRoom in December of 2022 as one of the hosts of The Pondcast. She began working professionally with animals in 2010 when she worked for Sacred Heart University studying horseshoe crab ecology in Long Island Sound. She has worked for a variety of zoological institutions in the Northeast such as Mass Audubon, Southwick’s Zoo, and currently Riverside Reptiles Education Center (RREC). As the lead keeper of RREC, EmmaLee oversees the care of almost 100 different species of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Almost 30 of those species are turtles and tortoises! Her favorites are Tank the African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata), Ben the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys apalachicolae), and Wink the African Helmeted Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa). Her time as a zookeeper has led her to some wonderful and fascinating experiences. Some of her favorite moments have been raising baby toucans and baby kangaroos, working with venomous snakes, and free flying birds of prey. EmmaLee’s pursuit of education has awarded her many experiences, such as a Master Herpetologist certification through the Amphibian Foundation. She is currently working towards her Master Naturalist certification through the state of CT, and obtaining her wildlife rehabilitators license. In 2022 EmmaLee was invited to Florida to participate in a Venomous Handling Instructor course through The Rattlesnake Conservancy, which certifies her to teach TRC’s Level 1 class. In her personal life EmmaLee lives in CT with her dog Kahless. She is an active member of the American Association of Zoo Keepers CT chapter, and a Professional Fellow of the Zoological Association of America. EmmaLee is also a licensed falconer, and works for a raptor center in NY on her weekends.