Posted on: 2017-06-23 09:30:25
🐢 Recent turtle news you may have missed.
Recent Box Turtle News
Cute little boxie babies, and a plea for care while driving.
Bourret’s box turtle babies!: These boxies are native to Vietnam and Laos. They are critically endangered and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo (where they hatched) is part of a program to help the species survive. Includes pictures of the little cutie-pies.
Box turtle are out on Long Island: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is asking drivers to stay alert for turtles in the road. We want future generations of humans to be able to enjoy future generations of box turtles! 🐢
Two additional boxie stories worth repeating:
Studying Box Turtles: Scientists in Aiken, SC have been tracking and studying box turtles for almost 30 years. One old guy (turtle, not researcher!) has lived in the same backyard for most of that time!
Two box turtles rescued from dark closet: They and 11 other animals had been mostly abandoned at a Nature Center. (California)
Recent U. S. Turtle News
Lost turtles, dead turtles, and good intentions gone awry. Plus police officers being awesome.
Mysterious death on Miami Beach: Loggerhead turtle may have been run over by an ATV. 😢
Please don’t mark sea turtle nests: Trained volunteers know how to mark the right spot. And they read the tracks to know which type of sea turtle made the nest. They can’t do that if the tracks are destroyed or the wrong spot is marked. 😞 Also read here (Anna Maria Island)
Reward in gopher tortoise killing: Two tortoises were apparently beaten to death in Lakewood Ranch, FL. Residents are angry and saddened. They have offered a reward for information leading to an arrest.
Navarre Beach hosts first-ever leatherback sea turtle nest: Leatherbacks usually nest on the other side of the state. It’s too early to know if the eggs will hatch.
Snapping turtle didn’t have a reservation: Bed and breakfast called animal control to find her more suitable accommodations. (Video)
Community bands together to protect their snapping turtles: From signs to handmade nesting mounds, they’re determined to keep turtle moms safe. (New York)
Lots of police officers answering the call to serve and protect the turtles. These stories come from Maine and Connecticut:
- Police escort for tiny turtle: Awww. 💞 (Maine)
- Snapping turtle gets a hand: Although apparently it was less than appreciative. (Maine)
- Big turtle carried to safety: Good job, officer! (Connecticut)
And a few older stories still worth repeating:
- Help elect the Bog turtle New Jersey’s state reptile! Supporters from around the world have been signing the petition. Add your name! They’re still far from their goal of 5,000 supporters.
- Help count turtles around northern Vermont & southern Quebec: Memphremagog Conservation Inc is asking residents to report turtle sightings. The census runs from June through October.
- He may lose his sight for protecting a turtle: Daytona man was attacked in February after asking 3 men to stop torturing a turtle. They beat him so badly he’s still suffering the effects.
- Reserve your Turtle Watch spot for July: Your chance to see a loggerhead sea turtle nesting on Playalinda Beach or Apollo Beach. (Florida)
- New whale and sea turtle protections scrapped: Politics aside, how can anyone support fewer protections for these vulnerable animals?
Recent International Turtle News
A few moments of serenity, plus good news from Canada’s Vancouver Island and India’s Anamalai forest, among other stories.
Sea turtle pictures for your enjoyment: Start your weekend right. Spend a few minutes gazing on beautiful and cute pictures of these amazing animals.
Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre is overwhelmed with injured turtles: They’ve taken in 140 more turtles so far this year compared to last year at this time.
Western Painted Turtles hatching on Vancouver Island: The island’s last native turtle species is endangered, but it’s staging a comeback. Watch the video to see a baby turtle toddling toward the water. 🐢
Feeding humans sometimes kills turtles: Even if we don’t eat turtle meat, our food choices can get turtles killed. For example, prawns. Trawling for prawns kills many sea turtles if the nets don’t include turtle excluder devices. And if importing countries don’t require the devices, fishermen often don’t use them. 😡
But Mexican shrimp trawling is safe for marine turtles: The country has just received renewed US certification that it follows international regulations for marine turtle protection. 👍
The Cochin forest cane turtle is rare but not extinct: An extremely rare sighting of an extremely rare turtle in the Anamalai forest of India.
Another World Sea Turtle Day release: For this one, the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project released 40 turtles into the Arabian Gulf. Some of the turtles have trackers, and the story includes links where you can see the tracking data.
More protections for Queensland’s turtles: A new round of funding for the Nest to Ocean program will protect more nesting sites from predators.
Three stories of people passionate about protecting turtles are worth repeating:
- Spreading the word about the dangers of plastic to marine life: ‘Plastic Free Boy’ has a mission to protect the turtles. He’s making a difference. And a film.
- One community’s solution for protecting turtles crossing the road: Turtle tunnels! And fencing to encourage them to use their new “crosswalks.” You can find a more detailed story here.
- Bri Bri the Turtle Guy’s slow & steady campaign to protect Ontario’s turtles: He personally patrols roadways to find turtles needing help. And he teaches others how to protect turtles and the environment.