Environmental DNA – how a tool used to detect endangered wildlife ended up helping fight the COVID-19 pandemic Enviromental DNA, or eDNA, is a powerful tool that uses trace amounts of DNA shed by animals through various ways, to detect if an animal has been in or is in a particular area. This has helped scientists locate sea turtles in the wild. But in 2020 …
Lemurs and giant tortoises among species at risk if global warming reaches 3°C More than 200 studies looked at the impacts of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems, whereas just over 30 looked at marine ecosystems. Only 14 studies looked at freshwater species – considered to be among the most threatened – which were included in terrestrial ecosystems due to lack of data. Dr Rob Salguero-Gómez, …
A Large Galápagos Tortoise Seizure Raises Red Flags A seizure of 185 Galapagos Tortoises at Galapagos Ecological Airport, is raising bigger concerns over illegal trade in the tortoises. The number of animals seized is troubling because it may point to a large more sophisticated illegal trade for these animals. Follow the link to read more. Turtle News From Around the World Conservation USA: Endangered Species …
Yangtze giant softshell turtle in Vietnam is the real thing, breeding may be possible Nguyen Huy Dang, Deputy Director of Ha Noi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: “This is a very important mission and it needs to be done effectively. We have been seeking advice and consultation from the Ha Noi People’s Committee to promulgate guiding documents and collaboration with international organization to …
Turtle gets new name as researchers discover mistaken identity A common turtle from north-west Queensland has been renamed after researchers compared it to fossil records. Researchers determined there were “seven distinct differences” between the fossil records with the old name of Elysea lavarackorum and the newly named Elysea oneiros. To read more follow the link. Turtle News From Around the World Conservation South Africa: Female …
Sea Turtle Hospital of Palm Beach, FL researches Fibropapillomatosis affecting green sea turtles Fibropapillomatosis, or FP, was part of the impetus for the creation of the Sea Turtle Hospital, which had its fifth anniversary in October. “It was a disease we weren’t used to seeing in this part of the state,” said Eastman. Eastman has been working with sea turtles since the 1990s, when she …
What to do if you find baby sea turtles washed ashore because of tropical weather With Tropical Storm Eta crashing into the Florida coast and causing sea levels to rise, more and more hatchling sea turtles are being washed ashore. The Sea Turtle Preservation Society gives tips on what to do if you find a hatchling turtle on a beach. Follow the link for more. …
Endangered Sea Turtle Learns To Swim Again After Losing Two Flippers After having two flippers amputated from being caught in a fishing net, and five years of rehabilitation at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre an Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, has been released back into the wild. Follow the link for the full story. Turtle News From Around the World Conservation Mexico: Endangered sea turtle rebounding …
Governor signs new law to protect South Carolina turtles, reptiles, amphibians South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has signed into law new regulations designed to protect the state’s native reptiles and amphibians. McMaster held a ceremonial signing event Wednesday at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, which has several animal conservation programs . The law was passed during the most recent legislative session. The South Carolina Department …
