Steve Enders

Diamondback Terrapin Die-off Remains a Mystery Researchers have discovered the Diamondback Terrapins from the massive die-off in New York died after becoming paralyzed. This is one of the symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) that results from high levels of saxitoxin, a marine biotoxin. have reached record levels, but the die-off of the local Diamondback Terrapin population is still covered in a shroud a mystery. […]

DBT Die-off Remains a Mystery Saxitoxin levels have reached record levels, but the die-off of the local Diamondback Terrapin population is still covered in a shroud a mystery. While it would make sense that, as their food source has become filled with this toxin, that many of the terrapins would die, tests conducted have yet to confirm that the toxin is the culprit. Saxitoxin is

Dozens of dead DBTs wash up in Suffolk County, NY Authorities in New York are trying to figure out why a massive die-off of the local Diamondback Terrapins is occurring. Since late April, dozens and dozens of the species have been found washed up, dead, on the beach. The absence of clams, an important food source for DBTs, has also been folllowed in recent years.

Of Swimming Tortoises and Saving Sea Turtles Saturdays seem to be slow news days. Today, we bring you more stories of saving sea turtles, but more interestingly, the recollection of a story about a swimming (or floating) Aldabra tortoise. While the occurrence of the tortoise coming ashore on a beach in Tanzania is more than 10 years old, it reminds of some of Darwin’s theories

Turtle Survival Alliance annual conference The Turtle Survival Alliance​’s annual conference will be held from August 6-9 in Tucson, Arizona. Yesterday, the TSA released the “Call for Papers” for those interested in giving a presentation during the conference. We will be organizing one of the sessions for their conference with myself serving as Session Chair for a session entitled Captive Husbandry – Collaboration & Conservation.

Louisiana works to protect sea turtles Following up from a our previous report, the bill in Louisiana to repeal the state turtle-excluder device enforcement prohibition passed through the state House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment yesterday (Wednesday, April 29). This bill still has a few steps to go, but its passing would bean Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents would be able to

Tiny Tortoise May Redirect Business The small and endangered Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) could lead toward Volvo picking South Carolina instead of Georgia for its new United States manufacturing plant. While the Georgia populations of the Gopher Tortoise are not yet listed on USFWS’ endangered species list, they are native inhabitants of the plot of land considered in Georgia. Not only would a relocation program