Ploughshare Tortoise conservation just received a tremendous boost from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation Grants Fund through their highly competitive process. The award of $25,500 will support field conservation for one of the most endangered animals on the planet. The Ploughshare Tortoise is threatened by intensified poaching over the past few years due to skyrocketing value in the illicit international markets. As leading partners in the International Angonoka Working Group, the Turtle Conservancy works with the global community to do everything possible to rescue this tortoise from the brink of extinction. Funding for this grant was provided by the Disney Conservation fund.

The AZA Conservation Grants Fund (CGF) supports the cooperative conservation and education initiatives of AZA and its members and partners. Since 1991, the CGF has provided more than $7.3 million to over 400 projects worldwide. We thank all donors, and particularly the Disney Conservation Fund, for their generous support of the CGF.