The Turtle Conservancy recently hosted Dr. Zach Bell, a guest researcher from Okinawa, Japan, at our Conservation Center. Dr. Bell stands as one of the few scholars delving into the population dynamics of Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtles ( Geoemyda japonica ) in their native habitat of Okinawa, Japan. After years of navigating the sensitive and guarded culture of turtle research on the lush Japanese Island of Okinawa, Dr. Bell and his partner, Aya Narukiyo, successfully joining a multi-decade long project to study the population, range, behavior, and life cycles of the elusive Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle led by researcher ​Tsutomu Otani.

Drawing from their research experiences, Dr. Bell and Aya Narukiyo co-founded the Okinawa Kame Center, a nonprofit organization committed to preserving the native turtles of Okinawa. These turtles face critical conservation needs amid the absence of sustained conservation strategies.

The natural habitat of Okinawa Island is steadily dwindling due to rampant land development, decreasing suitable habitat and forcing turtles in closer contact with development, resulting in increased deaths due to vehicle strikes. The plight is further compounded by the illegal smuggling, primarily of two endangered species, the Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle and the Yellow-margined box turtle, for the exotic pet trade. In response to these pressing issues, the Okinawa Kame Center is committed to researching the effective population sizes and enacting targeted programs aimed at safeguarding the wild turtle populations. Collaboration with land developers is deemed essential, involving pre-development surveys to minimize the adverse impact on turtle habitats. Additionally, there is a concerted effort to raise awareness among locals, visitors, and international conservation groups about the importance of turtle preservation.

At the Turtle Conservancy, we provide a safe haven for several Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtles. During Dr. Bell's visit, our Director and Veterinarian, James Liu, facilitated the collection of blood samples from our adult turtles. These samples will contribute to the creation of a chromosomal-level reference genome and transcriptomes, enhancing researchers' understanding of their wild counterparts and aiding conservation efforts. To learn more about this important work, visit Okinawa Kame Center’s website.