World Turtle News

Jurassic European Sea Turtles Suffered From Changing Sea Levels Remains of the supposed oldest sea turtle species was found in the Baetic Cordillera in Jaén 6 years ago. It is still not clear what group the primitive species Hispaniachelys prebetica, considered the oldest southern Europe species, belongs to. A researcher in the evolutionary biology group of the UNED, Adan Pérez-Garcia, studied and analyzed the fossil’s […]

Myuchelys georgesi Suffers From Unknown Virus in Australia The Bellinger River snapping turtle is facing a huge decline in NSW mid north coast, Australia. While we think that only a few thousand of these are remaining in the river system, more than 300 specimen were found dead so far because of a mystery virus. “The virus attacks the turtles’ internal organs, leaving them blind and

80,000 eggs in two days Odisha’s Gahirmatha saw the return of Olive Ridley turtles after a year of absence. Over a two day period they laid an estimated 80,000 eggs in the first two days at the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, considered to the be largest rookery of the Olive Ridley turtles. Turtle News From Around the World Conservation Happy ending for green turtle in a

Researchers publish paper detailing the travel patterns of 15 Leatherback Sea Turtles Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) have been a staple in this week’s chelonian news. Researchers just published a new paper detailing the travel patterns of 15 Leatherbacks who summer in New England then head south for the winter. They surprised researchers right from the start, heading out into the open sea instead of

1485 Volunteers Clean Up a Beach For Leatherback Sea Turtle Nesting Season Trinidadian and Tobagonian organization Nature Seekers is having its annual beach clean-up and is also celebrating its 25 anniversary. Every year, thousand of volunteers meet at Matura Beaches (which are important nesting sites) in order to remove bulk of debris and drift wood, making the path clear for turtles to lay their eggs

Leatherback Sea Turtle lands in South Carolina Aquarium for treatment A sick Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) was admitted to South Carolina Aquarium this past weekend. This has turned out to be quite a challenge, both to get the turtle, named “Yawkey”, to the aquarium and provide space for treatment. One can only imagine, seeing as Yawkey weighs almost 500 pounds and is more than

22 baby Malaclemys terrapin saved from smugglers The SoundWaters nature education center in Stamford got an unexpected gift: 22 baby Malaclemys terrapin who were saved from smugglers in Alaska. More than 200 juvenile diamondback terrapins were found by US customs in Anchorage, Alaska. They were about to be shipped to China. Unfortunately, 1 has already died and the remaining 21 might not survive either. SoundWaters