Michaela Wiersema

The Sobering Reality of the Illegal Reptile Trade is Heartwrenching Fourteen markets, 1500 animals, two years, $100,000. What do these all have in common? They are the stark reality of the illegal wildlife trade in Morocco. As a result of four surveys done over two years in Moroccan towns, it was determined that $100,000 worth of reptiles were sold openly in the markets. The surprising […]

Latest Research Discovers that Freshwater Turtles are in Grave Danger Due to the Effects of Fishing You may not think much of a peaceful afternoon on the lake catching Blue-gill, but did you know that in a 2014 survey, 33% of the turtles had ingested fishhooks, with an 11% fatality rate? The reality is that commercial fishing is highly detrimental to freshwater turtle populations, and

Incredible Discovery of a Once-thought Extinct Species in India a Remarkable Success for Conservation Nilssonia nigricans, known as the Black Soft-shell turtle, is classified by the IUCN as extinct in the wild; however, deep in the marshes of an Akuk village in Wokha district, Nagaland, this has been proven otherwise. Lansothung Lotha, a Forest Ranger, was alerted to the possible existence of this turtle due

Herpetologist is the Recipient of an Important Grant for In-situ Study on Cuora amboinensis in Indonesia Arizona Native, Nancy Karraker, has an important and exciting adventure awaiting her. She was just recently the recipient of the distinguished grant that will fund her trip to Indonesia where she will study Cuora amboinensis in their native habitat. Karraker is an associate professor of natural resources science at

Olive Ridley Project Begins a New Research Study to Determine the Age of Ghost Nets A group of marine biologists is on a mission: to discover the actual age of the ghost nets that somehow end up in the Indian Ocean. The ultimate goal to this mission is to determine the reason why these nets are being found in the Maldives. These biologists will be

Critically Endangered Batagur baska From Breeding Program in India Rescued From a Local Market The species Batagur baska is a critically endangered chelonian which is known as one of the largest turtles in Asia. When one of these animals showed up at a local market, it raised some questions and the authorities swiftly intervened. It was discovered that a local fisherman captured the turtle which

Missile Launches Cause Concern Over Lepidochelys olivacea Nesting in India An alarming turn of events on Abdul Kalam Island has raised great concern for the nesting Lepidochelys olivacea near Gahiramatha beach. Recently the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) fired a supersonic endo-atmospheric Advanced Area Defence (AAD) interceptor missile from the island which raised the alarm for scientists. They worry that the sea turtles will

Turtle Survival Alliance Announces Groundbreaking Project in Vital Biodiversity Hotspot The Turtle Survival Alliance recently announced their newest conservation project, which will focus on the chelonians of Columbia. Columbia is a highly diverse biodiversity hotspot, featuring 27 chelonian taxa and nine families. They are partnering with the Wildlife Conservation Society to develop an effective strategy to conserve the native and critically endangered species which reside