Israel is rehabbing its softshell turtle population One evening in May, the Kishon River Authority received an urgent call about a softshell turtle apparently hit by a vehicle near the Haifa oil refineries. The 43-mile-long Kishon River empties into Haifa Bay. After she receives a clean bill of health, she will join hundreds of other softshell turtles that have either found their way to the […]

Sea Turtle Hospital Awarded Prestigious Grant to Further Research and Treatment of Fibropapilloma The University of Florida Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Laboratory was recently awarded an important grant by the Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program in the amount of $18,348. The goal of this grant is to fund research of the debilitating fibropapilloma disease. Utilizing cancer research methods and precise blood testing, biologists will

IUCN and Anantara collaborate to protect marine turtles in Sri Lanka At a time where increasing pressure is being placed on the environment, the private sector is realising the importance of conserving natural habitats and biodiversity in order to protect the viability of their businesses. In Sri Lanka, as a symbol of their pledge to environmental responsibility, Anantara Resorts, Hotels and Spas has collaborated with

Fishing piers and hooks leading to sea turtle injuries 3 highly endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) have been treated so far at the South Carolina Aquarium after swallowing fish hooks near two piers in Myrtle Beach. Fishermen are encouraged to use circle hooks rather than J-hooks or treble hooks to help protect them. Check out the video about plastic pollution in the ecology

Gopherus agassizii threatened by continuing drought Five years of drought in California have had devastating effects on its wildlife. One reptile that’s been deeply affected is the California Desert Tortoise. It’s struggling not only with dehydration, but also some unconventional predators. California’s deserts have seen the worst drought for more than a thousand years, and if current trends continue scientists say 90 percent of some

Pier Program Educates Fisherman to Increase Survival of Hooked Sea Turtles Fishermen in Virginia are now able to contribute to conservation thanks to the Pier Program, initiated by the Virginia Aquarium. This donation-funded program has rescued 105 turtles since it was started in 2014, and the fishermen have been catching on to the acronym “TLC”, which in summary stands for Tell, Lift, and Cut. The

Turtles help UT researchers learn more about the effects of harmful algae The health of Lake Erie is an issue that affects millions of people. Algal blooms are one of the biggest concerns. There’s been a lot of research done through the years on the effects of toxic algae on people. There hasn’t been a lot done on wildlife, especially amphibians and reptiles like turtles.