In Memoriam: Peter C.H. Pritchard (1943–2020)

Today we honor the memory of Peter C.H. Pritchard, an iconic giant in our community—one of the founding fathers of turtle and tortoise conservation, who passed away February 25 at the age of 76 after a long illness. We are deeply saddened to say goodbye to Peter, who was a close colleague and trusted friend to us at the Turtle Conservancy, and a hero and longtime inspiration to all of us.

Peter was one of the world's foremost experts on the history, biology, and conservation of the world’s turtles and tortoises, as well as their cultural and ecological significance. For many, his books and articles were foundational resources for several generations of enthusiasts, scientists, and conservationists.

Throughout his prolific career, he generously shared his knowledge and passion with many people. He founded the Chelonian Research Institute in Oviedo, Florida, which houses one of the world’s most comprehensive turtle and tortoise research collections of its kind, inviting researchers and students from around the world to visit and study.

A pioneering conservationist, he raised awareness at a time when there were very few conservation initiatives for freshwater turtles and tortoises, and spent over five decades working to protect them. Peter encouraged people around the world to care for turtles, and inspired generations of conservationists. His contributions to the world of conservation will live on for as long as there are turtles and people who love them.

Many of us in the greater turtle conservation and biology community were deeply inspired by him, and he most generously shared of himself and his passion for turtles with all of us. He introduced us to the wonder of turtle diversity and natural history through his seminal 1967 book "Living Turtles of the World", followed by his even more impactful 1979 book, the "Encyclopedia of Turtles" and many other major books and articles over his lifetime. For many of us he was not only a catalyzing inspiration and much-admired role model, but also a trusted mentor and close friend and energetic travel companion to many remote and wild places on Earth, always in enthusiastic and passionate pursuit of fascinating turtles or tortoises. He loved the natural world and the people in it, always celebrating the diversity of turtles and other animal life, as well as the people he met and befriended. He treated everyone as equals and saw in all the potentials of friendship, camaraderie, and collegiality. He was a true Renaissance man with broad interests in humanity, the natural world, and art in its many forms.

He will be sorely missed by many—especially the conservationists and cheloniophiles among us—and most acutely by his wife Sibille and family, as well as his many close friends and collaborating colleagues in the global chelonian conservation and biology community. He was always "Mr. Turtle" to most of us—and we deeply mourn his passing. For many, he was simply the greatest turtle man that ever lived. He was a hero and popularizer of turtles and their diversity and a passionate advocate for their conservation, and he helped all of us realize his vision by inspiring several generations of turtle aficionados. His passing is a tragic loss to the turtle world and beyond, but we trust and know that his enthusiasm and inspiration will live on through those following in his footsteps. His legacy shall live on and the Turtle Conservancy will do its part to ensure that it does. For those of us who knew him the longest and closest, we bid thee a fond farewell, Peter, and thank you for being you and for guiding us along the way.

- Anders Rhodin, Russ Mittermeier, and Eric Goode

Orlando Sentinel

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