Posted on: 2017-06-26 09:30:24

🐢 Turtle news you may have missed recently.

Recent Box Turtle News

One new box turtle story:

Nebraska has a new (unofficial) state reptile! It’s the ornate box turtle, the state’s only native terrestrial turtle. It beat out the snapping turtle, two snakes and two lizards for the honor. There are plans to make it official soon.

And four more worth repeating.

• Box turtles 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! 🐢
• 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.   
• 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

Stories about sea turtles eating trash, watching sea turtles nesting, and curing a paralyzed tortoise.

Camping out in Hawaii: Just to watch nesting sea turtles arrive! Sounds like an amazing job. 😍

Elementary school students adopt sea turtles: They raised $1800 to symbolically adopt the 5 permanent sea turtle residents at The Turtle Hospital. (Florida)

Electro-acupuncture for turtles?: Yep! For one lucky gopher tortoise, anyway. The treatment helped her regain use of her back legs. 💕

Tammie the loggerhead rescued off Delaware: She was sick and covered in barnacles. She’s now at Sea Turtle Recovery in New Jersey for treatment.

Poor Peach ate about 4 feet of fishing line: Lucky for her, researchers were sampling marine life and happened to catch the Kemp’s Ridley turtle. She got much-needed surgery and is in recovery.

Poor Gill ate a balloon: But he was lucky. He was able to poop it out, and the wonderful people at the South Carolina Aquarium are helping him get healthy again.

Poor Chex also mistook a balloon for a yummy meal: This juvenile green sea turtle is now recovering at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida.

Ban intentional balloon releases? Gill & Chex say Yes, please! No more wildlife getting tangled in balloon strings or mistaking them for lunch. New Jersey is trying but facing opposition … Did you know there’s such a thing as a balloon lobby?!

New Jersey’s petition is still open and turtle sightings are still needed, among other stories 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

Stories include sustainable tourism, remembering Piggy Bank, and sending a lost sea turtle home.

Sustainable tourism and conservation in Sri Lanka: Anatara Resorts and the IUCN team up to protect Sri Lanka’s marine turtles.

Serve and protect … turtles: A letter to the editor in praise of one officer’s actions. (Ontario)

Merit-making ceremony for Piggy Bank: The sea turtle who ate 915 coins and later died was stuffed and honored so that she may rest in peace. (Thailand)

Vicky the green turtle vs. a boat propeller: Sadly, he lost. :’(

Mama softshell turtle vs. vehicle: This time the turtle survived. She’s still recovering, but will help strengthen the softshell population in the Kishon River once she’s ready. Sadly, predators got her nest before her rescuers could get back to it. (Israel)

Lost sea turtle heading home: Olive Ridleys don’t belong in the UK. But there it was last fall, thousands of miles from home. After a few months at the Anglesey Sea Zoo, it has gone to Gran Canaria for a few more weeks of rehab before release. Here she is enjoying her stay in Gran Canaria.

We’ve shared these stories a few times already, but we feel they’re worth sharing again.

• 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.