Reproducing Giants: Guest Speaker Stefan Merz Shares His Expertise on Aldabra Tortoise Propagation 

Reproducing Giants: Guest Speaker Stefan Merz Shares His Expertise on Aldabra Tortoise Propagation 

We were delighted to welcome Dr. Stefan Merz from Germany, who holds the distinction of being the sole individual in Europe with a breeding group of Aldabra tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea). Dr. Merz has amassed invaluable expertise in the physiology, behavior, habitat requirements, ecology and reproductive patterns of Aldabra Tortoises through his expeditions to their native island…

Turtle Conservancy Board Chair, Anders Rhodin, Awarded the International Sea Turtle Society Lifetime Achievement Award

Turtle Conservancy Board Chair, Anders Rhodin, Awarded the International Sea Turtle Society Lifetime Achievement Award

Turtle Conservancy Board Chair, Anders Rhodin, was awarded the International Sea Turtle Society Lifetime Achievement Award; an annual award honoring an individual who has had a significant impact on sea turtle biology and conservation through the course of their career.

Rhodin joins some of the giants in the sea turtle world, including past recipients Archie Carr and Peter Pritchard…

Turtle Conservancy Hosts Its First Teacher Workshop

Turtle Conservancy Hosts Its First Teacher Workshop

We are thrilled to announce an exciting partnership between the Turtle Conservancy (TC) and the MERITO Foundation, aimed at fostering environmental education in Ventura County. Last week, the TC and MERITO hosted six middle school teachers from the De Anza Middle School (DATA) at our conservation center. This collaborative effort allowed educators to benefit from professional development opportunities offered by MERITO's renowned program, enhancing their knowledge and skills in environmental education…

New Network Gives Hope to Animals Trafficked Through Illegal Wildlife Trade

New Network Gives Hope to Animals Trafficked  Through Illegal Wildlife Trade

The Turtle Conservancy is proud to be a part of the Wildlife Confiscations Network in southern California, just launched by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The network is a pilot program of AZA’s Wildlife Trafficking Alliance that provides a coordinated response for the care and wellbeing of wildlife confiscated from illegal trade…

Turtle Conservancy and Western University Team Up To Train the Next Generation of Wildlife Veterinarians

Turtle Conservancy and Western University Team Up To Train the Next Generation of Wildlife Veterinarians

On Sunday, October 22nd, 30 veterinary students from Western University of Health and Science embarked on a day dedicated to turtle medicine at the TC. Under the guidance of Dr. Curtis Eng, Director of Clinical Rotations at Western University, and visiting veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Ho, these students had the unique opportunity to interact closely with some of the TC residents. The day was structured around several educational stations…

Embracing Our Local Community 

Embracing Our Local Community 

Our conservation center is at the heart of the small, tightly knit, town of Ojai, CA. Since 1917, Ojai has hosted a yearly Ojai Day featuring local vendors, non profits, and artists. The TC was happy to host yet another booth at Ojai Day where we had the opportunity to engage with the community and inspire care for turtle conservation…

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes federal protections for both species of Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata and A. pallida) under the Endangered Species Act

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes federal protections for both species of Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata and A. pallida) under the Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed federal protections for both species of western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata), namely the northwestern pond turtle and the southwestern pond turtle, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These turtles, residing across several states in the western U.S., are facing threats from worsening drought conditions, habitat loss, fragmentation, and predation by invasive species. The Service's decision to list them as threatened under the ESA is based on a Species Status Assessment, indicating their increasing risk of extinction due to population losses and reduced genetic diversity. A 4(d) rule is also proposed, allowing activities like wildfire suppression, habitat restoration, and non-native species removal that support turtle conservation…

Endangered Tortoises Released On New Mexico Ranch

Endangered Tortoises Released On New Mexico Ranch

We are excited to share some heartwarming news from the plains of New Mexico. In a remarkable conservation effort, on September 22nd, our partners at the Turner Endangered Species Fund (TESF) celebrated the release of 20 Bolson tortoises marking a significant milestone in the preservation of this critically endangered species.


In the article written by Huffington Post, program director, Chris Weise, shared the importance of the release of headstarted tortoises. “The releases are the essential step to getting them back on the ground and letting them be wild tortoises,” she said. “To us, this is the pinnacle of what we do” …

2023 Southern Pacific Pond Turtle Field Season Recap

 2023 Southern Pacific Pond Turtle Field Season Recap

The end of summer marks the conclusion of the Turtle Conservancy’s 2023 Southern Pacific Pond Turtle field season. This was our second year researching and monitoring two populations of Southern Pacific Pond Turtle’s (Actinemys pallida) in Ventura County. Our endeavors are underpinned by shared concerns among biologists across California, who recognize the precarious state of this species…

First Ever Sulawesi Forest Turtle Hatched at the Turtle Conservancy

 

On September 20th, 2023, the very first two Sulawesi forest turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoia) hatched at the Turtle Conservancy. The Sulawesi forest turtle stands as one of the most mysterious and least-studied turtle species globally. It remains largely elusive in the wild, with limited observations and scant knowledge of its life history. Officially described for the first time in 1995, this turtle species is unique to Indonesia's Sulawesi island. Its name, Leucocephalon, highlights the distinct white head coloration seen in males, while "yuwonoi" refers to the natorious animal dealer Franck Yuwono, the initial collector of these turtles.

As its name suggests, the Sulawesi Forest Turtle inhabits cool mountain streams within the forests of northern Sulawesi. While juveniles primarily dwell in aquatic environments, adults split their time between the dense forest canopy during daylight hours and the streams during the night. Their diet is omnivorous, encompassing invertebrates, vegetation, and fruit.

This species holds the unfortunate distinction of being classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Like many endangered turtle and tortoise species, the Sulawesi Forest Turtle faces threats mainly from illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction. In 1998, an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 Sulawesi Forest Turtles were exported to China. The Indonesian government responded by prohibiting turtle exports in 2002, but illegal trade continues. Widespread deforestation due to agriculture, palm oil plantations, and other human activities has further decimated this species, especially given its limited range. Turtle Conservancy has been studying it since 2012, pinpointing the primary source of turtle exports for the wildlife trade in Sulawesi.

Even if we manage to curb exploitation and habitat loss, the Sulawesi Forest Turtle's recovery remains hindered by the fact that females typically lay only one or two eggs per clutch. While assurance colonies of these turtles do exist, the species has proven challenging to maintain and breed in captivity.

Turtle Conservancy received a group of Sulawesi Forest Turtles confiscated from the illegal trade, which are now housed at our conservation center in California. After several unsuccessful breeding seasons, we are thrilled to announce the hatching of the first two Sulawesi Forest Turtle at the Turtle Conservancy. This achievement signifies a new beginning in the battle to prevent the extinction of this critically endangered species.

The Turtle Conservancy is committed to expanding its breeding and research efforts to strengthen the population of Sulawesi Forest Turtles in captivity. The hatching of the first Sulawesi Forest Turtle at our center marks a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle to save this critically endangered species. It serves as a poignant reminder of the essential role played by dedicated conservation efforts, research, and collaboration in safeguarding our planet's most vulnerable wildlife. While challenges remain on the horizon, this hatchling represents hope for a brighter future for the Sulawesi Forest Turtle and underscores our collective responsibility to preserve Earth's biodiversity.

 

Endangered Turtle Hatches at the Turtle Conservancy

Endangered Turtle Hatches at the Turtle Conservancy

Hatchlings are always a source of excitement at the Turtle Conservancy, and some are particularly thrilling, like this adorable little Spiny Hill Turtle (Heosemys spinosa) that hatched on July tenth. Turtle Conservancy carefully incubated the egg for four months until this little one emerged into the world. Welcoming this little Spiny Hill Turtle represents renewed hope for the future of this endangered species…

High Schoolers Open their Doors to Confiscated Turtles

High Schoolers Open their Doors to Confiscated Turtles

Education is the backbone of conservation, and we want to highlight one school that has incorporated lifesaving turtle conservation into their curriculum. Mount Olive High School, a public school in Morris County, New Jersey, goes beyond classroom teachings to engage students in hands-on work with animals in their greenhouse. The School opened their doors to turtles that United States Fish and Wildlife (USFW) confiscated from the global illegal wildlife trade…

Revolutionizing Tortoise Surveys: Drones and AI Team Up to Protect Bolson Tortoises

Revolutionizing Tortoise Surveys: Drones and AI Team Up to Protect Bolson Tortoises

In the fast-evolving world of technology, artificial intelligence has found its way into an unexpected realm—turtle conservation. An initiative led by the Turtle Conservancy, in collaboration with HABIO and Resi, the firm founded by Matt Bandy, brought together a team comprising Rosalinda Palomo Ramos, Matt Bandy, Michael Tuma, and Ross Kiester (myself). Our mission took us to the Turtle Conservancy's Bolson Tortoise Preserve in Bolson de Mapimí, where we harnessed the power of drones and AI to estimate tortoise populations.

Turtle Camp Recap

Turtle Camp Recap

We have just concluded our second annual Turtle Camp: a week-long adventure camp, fully funded and organized by the Turtle Conservancy in collaboration with The Thacher School. Our campers, a group of enthusiastic 7th and 8th graders from schools across Los Angeles and Ventura County, embarked on a transformative journey filled with invaluable lessons, profound conservation efforts, lasting friendships, and, of course, unforgettable turtle encounters. Thanks to the generous support of anonymous donors, we provided twenty-five young minds with the opportunity to embrace their roles as budding conservationists. This generous grant has ignited a new generation of wildlife advocates, instilling a sense of purpose and dedication in each participant…

Conserving the Earth's Rhythm: vildwerk. Unites Conservation Work with Performing Arts

Conserving the Earth's Rhythm: vildwerk. Unites Conservation Work with Performing Arts

TC Communications Officer and founder of vildwerk., Chiara Gorodesky, hosted the Inaugural vildwerk. Gala, marking the beginning of a groundbreaking initiative. vildwerk. is a New York City based non-profit organization raising global environmental conservation awareness through dance. As the founder of vildwerk., Gorodesky passionately expressed the urgent need for action in the face of the ongoing global crisis. She emphasized her unique position, working at the intersection of conservation and dance, which allows her to witness the pressing challenges firsthand…

World Turtle Day Celebrations

World Turtle Day Celebrations


On May 23rd we celebrated World Turtle Day! This annual holiday, held on May 23rd, brings together conservationists, scientists, and turtle enthusiasts from around the globe in celebration- or should we say shell- ebration of turtles of all kind. 

Theres no better way to spend World Turtle Day then connecting with others that share the same passion for these incredible animals- except of course spending some time with the turtles themselves. Our Galapagos (Chelonoidis niger) and Aldabra (Aldabrachelys gigantea) Tortoises received a special treat: a spread of some of their favorite snacks including lettuce, hibiscus, papaya, cabbage, and cactus...

T-Shirt sale! Save the Palawan Forest Turtle

Help Save Palawan Forest Turtles with Our Fundraising Shirts!

Katala Foundation Inc is expanding their education program with Dumarao National High School in the Philippines. For just $3,000, we can provide education for 22 high school students for one year, which includes lunch and transportation.

By purchasing our shirt, you're supporting these students and the conservation of the critically endangered Palawan Forest Turtle. The curriculum focuses heavily on turtle conservation, inspiring future generations to become conservationists in the native range of these turtles.

We believe that saving turtles requires the involvement of local communities, and KFI's education program is a vital part of this effort. Buy a shirt, provide an education, and help save a turtle!

Turtle Conservancy has partnered with Katala Foundation since 2017 and supported the purchase and protection of over 1,000+ acres of land for conserving the Palawan Forest Turtle. Click here to learn more about our program.

Help us reach our goal of selling 100 shirts!!!