Michaela Wiersema

Dundas Turtle Watch Dedicated To Preventing Roadkills And Predation The Dundas Turtle Watch has been patrolling the roadways of Dundas for years, with the goal of reducing roadkill fatalities as well as predation incidents. The group of approximately 50 volunteers faithfully walks a set of three distinct routes, scanning the roadways for turtles that have wandered out their habitats and into dangerous territory. Working in […]

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

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

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

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

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

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