Posted on: 2017-07-14 09:30:23

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Recent turtle news you may have missed.

We’ve got updates on a couple of stories, some good news about rescues and limiting harvests, and a reminder to leave sea turtles alone, among other stories.

Recent Box Turtle News

No new boxie news today, but we think these three stories from Tuesday are worth sharing again.

• Fiberglass box turtle: A vet in Ohio fixed a boxie’s broken shell with fiberglass a few years ago and released him. Recently she discovered her old patient just hanging out in the woods. How did she know it was him? The fiberglass “bandage” was still attached!
• Bourret’s box turtle babies update: We shared a story about the endangered turtle hatchlings back in June. The National Zoo says they’re doing great … and they may have some younger siblings by the end of July!  🐢
• Good news for the Keeled Box Turtle: This species of Asian Box Turtle is endangered, like so many of its cousins. But the Turtle Conservation Center has had recent success with breeding them. It says 2016 was its best year yet.

Recent U. S. Turtle News

Read on for turtle harvest limits, a canine turtle rescuer, helping a sea turtle dive, and more.

Iowa’s first turtle trapping season about to begin: That may sound sad. But it’s actually a good thing. It means the state is limiting when and how many turtles can be harvested. In the past commercial harvesters could take as many as they wanted and whenever they wanted.

More turtles on the move in Wisconsin?: Experts say no, they’re just more active this time of year. But at least one man says he never used to see any turtles near his home. This year he’s seen several. (Video)

Can Ohio save the spotted turtle?: Officials hope the 6 females just released will help do just that.

How not to catch an alligator snapper: Ok, it actually worked out well for this guy. But he and his videographer are students studying the alligator snapping turtle population in Missouri. You may not want to try this yourself. 😲 (Video)

Kudos to the New Canaan police department: Officers made sure a snapper with a fishhook in its mouth got the help it needed. Then released it back where they found it.     (Connecticut)

Good dog! Diamond was just being a dog, but her curiosity may have saved 16 diamondback terrapins. She spotted a mama laying her eggs on a busy beach, where they probably wouldn’t have survived. They’re now incubating at the Terrapin Institute.

Eliza Ann lays 2nd nest on Anna Maria Island! She has a tracker, so we’re 100% sure it’s her. 🙂 You can track her too.

Can a prosthetic shell cure bubble butt? The name sounds cute, but air trapped under Seemore the injured green sea turtle’s shell means she can’t dive. So students at the University of Minnesota are creating a prosthetic for her.    

 

 

Recent International Turtle News

Burnaby update, a unique turtle “poacher,” and a pet turtle’s amazing escape from fire. Plus turtle fun, useful ghost nets, and more.

Update on Burnaby the wood turtle: We shared his story Tuesday. Since then, he’s arrived safely at the Speaking of Wildlife sanctuary, where he’ll spend the rest of his life in “retirement.”

Cuba makes sea turtle protection fun: The sea turtle festival includes games, art contests and other activities to help everyone understand how and why to protect these animals.

How can sea turtles benefit from ghost nets?: Sea turtles are all too often victims of abandoned fishing nets and other plastic pollution. But one turtle hospital loves the stuff … or more accurately the carpeting made from the stuff. (Australia)

Man caught with illegal turtle: But this wasn’t your usual case of turtle poaching. The turtle in this case was dead … and stuffed. 😮

National Sea Turtle champions: Two teenagers who have spent countless hours promoting sea turtle conservation have won the honor. They will now compete for International Sea Turtle Champion. But it’s not about the titles for these girls. They’re excited to bring turtle conservation awareness to a wider audience.

Too many injured turtles! The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre has declared a state of emergency. They’ve taken in record numbers of injured turtles so far this year. Some experts think the very rainy year Ontario’s been having might be bringing more turtles out onto roads, where they get hit by cars.

Do turtles have nine lives, too? If they do, Leonardo used up at least one escaping uninjured from a fire that destroyed an apartment building. 😮

Stop touching the sea turtles! More and more people understand this. Sadly, not everyone has gotten the message. 🙁 But more and more people are also willing to call out the people who do things like sit on them or toss them in the air. Hopefully one day that won’t be necessary any more. (Indonesia)

Will Orillia get a new wetland? A local naturalist hopes so, after a snapping turtle may have been nesting at the site. The wetland that was there vanished in 2004, a victim of preparation for a new recreation facility. (Ontario)