tortoise news

Canadian researchers put secretive turtle on risk radar The eastern musk turtle is easily overlooked. It basks in vegetation near the water’s surface. That makes it hard to see. Unfortunately for the turtles, this also means they are easily overlooked for protection. A recent study by Canada’s McMaster University sheds new light on the status and protection needs of this secretive species in Lake Huron’s […]

Data report comes in from deceased leatherback sea turtle washed ashore on Argyle Shore, Canada Roughly a dozen veterinarian students were able to observe part of the four-hour necropsy performed Monday and look inside the turtle. The necropsy was done to determine the cause of death but also to gather useful information on the leatherback. Jones says no definitive cause of death has been determined

Researchers outline Buck Island Turtle research The Buck Island National Monument off the waters of St. Croix has been the site for research for 30-plus years for biologists, educators and interns, and on Thursday three of the current researchers shared some of that history with an audience in Christiansted. Clayton Pollock is a biologist with the National Park Service, who earned his degree in environmental

Georgia Research Project Brings Hope For Gopherus Polyphemus Brantley and Charlton counties were once prime tortoise habitat; however, development has created a dire situation for the endangered Gopherus polyphemus, prompting action from conservationists to prevent their downfall. Beginning with the mining industry, this former haven has been transformed into a construction zone, and the tortoises are rapidly declining from the area. Dirk Stevenson, owner of

Lonesome George lives on: genome study of giant tortoises explores size, longevity, and resistance Comparison of these genomes with those of a diverse range of species unlocks a treasure trove of secrets about how giant tortoises get to be so large, long-lived (typically up to a century) and resistant to infections and cancer. Turtle News From Around the World Conservation USA: Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) released

NOAA Scientists Report Misconceptions Regarding Environmental Change On Sea Turtles As the winter looms over the horizon, already the weather has wreaked havoc on the sea turtle populations along the US coastline; specifically, the number of strandings has increased dramatically as conservationists work non-stop to rescue the sea turtles that become stranded on the beaches as a result of unexpected cold snaps. Contrary to the

Bangladeshi tribe that’s guarding turtles, co-authoring research papers In the beginning, Shahriar Caesar Rahman’s trips to the remote forests of the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh would invariably end in frustration. Rahman was searching for reptiles, and based on what the local people were telling him, the largely unexplored forests of the Hill Tracts seemed to be home to a wide variety of them and

UPDATE: the 51 Indian star tortoises seized in Singapore now at Bannerghatta National Park’s quarantine center (Original story here) The tortoises are kept in a specially created 4,000 square feet enclosure. The area has been fenced off to keep elephants, leopards and the lone wild tiger at bay. A forest guard and a Wildlife SOS volunteer will monitor the animals round-the-clock. A special night kraal

Wildlife Reserve To Be Utilized As Vital Turtle Conservation Program Headquarters In the center of Uttar Pradesh, India, lies a small city known as Pilibhit, and unbeknownst to many, is also home of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. This wildlife sanctuary is also a gem of an ecosystem, featuring a massive plethora of flora and fauna, in addition to the variety of aquatic habitats which stem