Smithsonian’s National Zoo Celebrates Monumental Step Forward In Conservation The Smithsonian’s National Zoo has a success to be proud of. After ten dedicated years of research and husbandry, two Cuora bourreti finally emerged from painstakingly incubated eggs. Lauren Augustine, the manager of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan studbook for the species said that after years of infertile eggs and premature fatalities, […]

TheTurtleRoom Brings Awareness To Our Future Young Conservationists Winding Trails Summer Day Camp attendees recently had a once in a lifetime opportunity to interact with theTurtleRoom and learn about conservation. Partnering with National Geographic’s Crittercam, theTurtleRoom along with volunteers captured and mounted a camera on a Chelydra serpentina. This is part of a research project to further understand their native habitat. This species is threatened

Riversleigh Fossil Museum uncovers 24 million year old giant horned turtle (Meiolania platyceps) 14 years ago, the fossil was found but unidentified, but now it’s drawing attention from the scientific community. Alan Rackham, the museum’s director, says it was discovered in the Pacific Islands and will travel temporarily to the University of New South Wales for further study. The video of a lost and found

Lab-engineered Chelonia mydas Skin to Provide Vital Insight on Fatal Diseases A laboratory recently engineered the first of it’s kind- the skin of a Chelonia mydas. Using tumor cells and turtle skin, they were able to design the skin and grow ChHV5, which causes fibropapillomatosis in sea turtles. This deadly disease results in massive tumors which without specialized treatment, prove fatal to these animals. This

Bristol Zoo hatches a pair of Cuora bourreti Two of the rarest breed of turtle on the planet have been born at a Bristol zoo. The duo of tiny Bourret’s Vietnamese box turtles hatched at Bristol Zoo Gardens after 12 weeks in an incubator with the temperature set at 26C. The hatchlings are currently the size of a small matchbox but could live to be

Data on Astrochelys yniphora Trade Reveals Critically Unsustainable Poaching Levels Astrochelys yniphora is unarguably one of the most endangered and sought-after chelonians on the planet. Unfortunately this is due to the illegal trade of these magnificent animals, and the species is on the path to extinction if increased efforts are not made to conserve them. The internet has proved to be a major venue for

Edinboro University biologists examine endangered turtle species Dr. Peter Lindeman, along with senior biology students Chelsea Gale and Ashley Gibson, have conducted a study of often overlooked freshwater turtle species in LA and MS to help determine their needs for protection. Species include the ringed sawback turtle (Graptemys oculifera), yellow-blotched sawback turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata), Pascagoula map turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi), and Pearl map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis).

Once Homeless Canine Now a Critical Member of Sea Turtle Conservation Team Who knew that a small puppy left homeless in an animal rescue would become one of the most important assets in conservation. Dory is a rescue beagle who is training with the Disney Animals, Science and Environment Team to search for and locate sea turtle nests. Highly-trained canines are an invaluable addition to