tortoise news

Newly discovered turtle fossil helps shed more light on classic mystery of turtle evolution The six foot-long animal, named Eorhynchochelys sinensis, lived more than 200 million years ago. Scientists say that it had a toothless beak and a Frisbee-shaped body, but had not yet evolved to have a protective shell. Turtle News From Around the World Conservation Malta: nest feared lost to rain hatches, 98 […]

World-Class Chelonian Conservancy At The Forefront Of Geochelone Nigra Conservation Efforts Nestled in the heart of Florida is a jewel not known to many, but in fact is one of the most important conservation facilities in the world. Three Jays Tortoise Sanctuary has been working with Geochelone nigra as an official licensed breeding center for 6 years and approximately one hundred healthy hatchlings have come

Working to increase turtle populations in Wisconsin Carrie Nelson, a wildlife biologist on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, explained that gravel pits are natural nesting locations for turtles, as the substrate is the right combination of sand and loam—sand for easy excavation and hold, and loam for proper drainage. At the same time, the gravel pits are used to repair and maintain roads and trails on

In southwest FL, red tide bloom is killing hundreds of sea turtles (VIDEO) A particularly strong red tide has killed hundreds of sea turtles in Southwest Florida over the past nine months, and researchers say the toll could hurt the area’s sea turtle population for decades. The red tide started in October but has become much more intense since June. ALSO: driver deliberately runs over

Volunteer Program Paves The Way For Sea Turtle Conservation On The Gulf Coast A visitor to the Fort Morgan beach on the Alabama coast might be surprised to see a small group of people intently working on something in the sand; in fact, these are members of “Share The Beach”, a volunteer-run organization which dedicates its efforts to protecting and collecting data on each one

Artificial island idea to help save declining Murray River turtles Turtle researchers say putting artificial islands in the Murray River is one way to save dwindling turtle populations. The man-made island strategy is one of a handful of ideas recently put forward by a team at Western Sydney University, led by Ricky Spencer and the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife. The university has been

Uproar Develops Over Unwanted Sea Turtle Nests On Private Land A small and little-known but wealthy community on the coast of Florida has a very unusual complaint to make. The residents of Belleair Shore are clashing with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium regarding unwanted sea turtle nests on what they say is private property. Believe it or not, the landowners report that they are upset about

Flaviemys purvisi to get lifeline from Australian Reptile Park It’s a late autumn day, warm and windy, the she oaks are whispering on the banks of the river, and Tim Faulkner, clad in a wetsuit, is snorkelling, looking for the Manning River turtle. It is a place the wildlife conservationist has seen them many times before, but we can’t share its location. The turtle is

In Queensland, Australia, drones are deployed to help survey, monitor nesting flatback sea turtles (VIDEO) Seeking to improve time and resource management, the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance, along with local rangers, are using drones to get a bird’s-eye view of Cape York Peninsula and its nesting flatbacks (Natator depressus)- and since it’s Australia, of course avoid the dangerous crocodiles that inhabit the area.