Kylie Rude

Kylie is the staff wildlife biologist and began working at the Turtle Conservancy in early 2023. She attended Colorado State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with an emphasis in aquatic wildlife physiology and a minor in botanical sciences. She is working towards a Master’s in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology focused on researching the impacts of mesopredator predation on Southwestern Pond Turtles within Ventura County.

Kylie contributes to both the Southwestern Pond Turtle Conservation Program and the Natural History Collection of Dr. Peter Pritchard. Her work primarily focuses on conserving Southern California’s sole native freshwater turtle species while also supporting the care and long-term management of the world’s third-largest chelonian scientific collection. She has experience working with a wide range of taxa, including but not limited to—African leopards, swell sharks, gray wolves, river otters, and California black bears. While she has an appreciation for all wildlife, Kylie most enjoys spending time in the field working with Southwestern Pond Turtles and expanding her understanding of Southern California’s unique ecology.