Posted on: 2018-11-09 10:30:57
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Have you seen these recent turtle stories?
There’s a lost sulcata tortoise (and she’s famous, too!). Nesting season roundup numbers. And a look inside a sea turtle nest (without breaking the law).
Also more smugglers arrested, it takes a village (to protect its turtles), and turtle virus ID’d.
Plus more.
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Recent Box Turtle News
We didn’t find any box turtle news this week. So we have to ask: Does your boxie love head rubs as much as this guy?! (From The Reptile Report) 💚
Recent U. S. Turtle News
We completely forgot to remind you to check out the winners of the Tour de Turtles last week! In the leatherback category the winner was Lucaya, representing Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas. And in the hardshell category, Bion, representing Ripley’s Aquariums just beat out Vida, on Team Pura Vida Bracelets. And even though Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch’s Bortie came in 10th, she won the people’s choice awards.
We also found a cool new exhibit showing things you might find on a beach (other than sand & seashells!). Plus a couple of turtles go home, a baby snapper picture, and more.
But first, Ethel’s family hopes someone finds her & brings her home:
Where’s Ethel? The little sulcata tortoise managed to get out of her yard & has been gone for more than 2 weeks. Her family (and no doubt her 6,500+ Instagram followers) are frantic to get her back home. (California)
End of nesting season roundups
Lots of sea turtle nests around Sarasota this year: According to Mote Marine Laboratory, this year had the 3rd highest number of nests along the stretch of beach it monitors since the monitoring began. (Florida)
Broward County sees average nesting season: Nothing wrong with that.
Nest counts in for Boca Grande beaches: Lots of loggerhead & a few green nests this year.
Palm Beach County nesting season solid: Not record-breaking, but still a good year.
Other turtle news
The poor turtle never had a chance: The huge but underweight leatherback turtle had eaten plastic and gotten tangled in fishing line. It was just barely alive when found, but despite the best efforts of the staff at New England Aquarium’s sea turtle hospital it died. 😥
The Institute For Marine Mammal Studies helps turtles & fishermen: It rehabilitates sea turtles, especially the critically endangered Kemp’s ridleys. And when those turtles are caught accidentally by fishermen, the Institute’s help means piers where a lot of turtles get caught don’t have to be closed. In this video 8 rehabbed Kemp’s ridleys head for home.
Valkyrie and Ninja (don’t) wave goodbye: The 2 were just happy to get out in the water after a short time rehabbing at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Includes pictures & video. (Florida)
Baby snapper photo: That’s it. Just a cute picture. And a description of how the photographer processed the photo if you’re into such things.
Beach exhibit includes a sea turtle nest & hatchlings: Not real ones, but the new exhibit at the Destin History and Fishing Museum lets you see what the inside of a nest looks like. Includes pictures. (Florida)
Recent International Turtle News
This week we found sea turtle nesting news, a release, and still more poachers caught … It seems like every week brings more poaching news lately! On the one hand we’re happy they’re getting caught. On the other hand, there’s just so many of them. (And you know there’s many more who aren’t getting caught). 😥
In happier news, one village loves its turtles so much it never leaves them unprotected. 💚 And learning what killed river turtles a few years ago may help save the rest.
Plus more.
Sea turtle news
Cozumel had a good sea turtle season: Slightly fewer nests than last year, but nothing worrisome.
Good luck out there Maria! The green sea turtle was covered in parasites and couldn’t dive 2 months ago. Last week she headed back to sea. Includes pictures. (Cyprus)
Can sustainable tourism on Cape Verde help the loggerheads? Their numbers in the area have increased since sustainable tourism projects have begun. So that’s encouraging. (Africa)
Nesting begins at Gahirmatha marine sanctuary: Officials are doing their best to protect the turtles during the mass nesting. Unfortunately they’re only partly successful. Includes pictures & video.
Report a sea turtle nest, get a reward: National parks in southern Thailand are offering the rewards in an attempt to protect the eggs from poachers and increase hatchling survival rate.
About that video of a straw up a turtle’s nose: The PhD student who posted that video talks about its impact on her and advocacy around plastic pollution. Also about balancing her scientific work and talking with non-scientists … all for the good of the turtles.
Smugglers & poachers news
Poacher jailed, turtle rescued: He had a soft-shell turtle at his home.
Smuggled turtle eggs seized from 3 boats: Unfortunately the smugglers jumped overboard near shore & got away. At least they won’t be able to profit from their thievery. (Malaysia)
Turtle smuggler arrested: He had 12 star tortoises & 5 red-eared sliders. (India)
Other turtle news
This village guards its turtles 24/7: Literally guards, as in someone is sitting by the pond at all times to keep the 400 Ganges soft-shelled turtles safe. The villagers also feed the turtles on a schedule. And try to protect the nests from poachers and animals.
Australia’s freshwater turtles face many dangers: Possibly one of the saddest is babies getting trapped in the nest during droughts. 😥 The story also includes a link to become a citizen scientist & help map turtles and turtle nests. Go check it out!
Scientists identify Bellinger River turtle virus: This new virus killed hundred of the endangered turtles in 2014. But now hopefully scientists can figure out how to protect the turtles from it.
3 Burmese star tortoises disappear from Danish zoo: The zoo was planning to breed them and just wants them back unharmed … no questions asked.
Turtle stew causes uproar: The dish is part of Cayman’s cultural heritage, and these days it’s mostly eaten only during holidays/festivals. But the conflict between those who believe there can be a balance between culture & conservation and those who believe we should never eat turtle will probably not be resolved any time soon.