Posted on: 2017-08-29 09:30:23
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Turtle news we found interesting recently.
Box turtles in the garden, spotted turtles on the road, and a town just for turtles. Plus lots of sea turtles.
Recent Box Turtle News
Today we found a story of a kind man who welcomes boxies to his garden. And another man who’s much less kind to wildlife.
He welcomes box turtles to his garden: He shares a picture of one enjoying one of his home-grown tomato. 🐢
Snake smuggler also smuggled box turtles: Remember the story about the king cobras in the potato chip cans? The guy who did that also shipped 6 box turtles from the U.S. to Hong Kong. 😢He had other protected turtles at his home as well.
Recent U. S. Turtle News
Protecting sea turtle hatchlings and eggs is hard work! But rescue organizations are up for the challenge.
Elsewhere regular citizens do their part to help turtles, too.
Where sea turtle hatchlings go for a 2nd chance: The Mote Marine Laboratory’s Hatchling Hospital! Whether the little guys got turned around on the beach or just weren’t quite ready to leave the nest, the hospital gives them some TLC. And that 2nd chance to make it to sea. 💚
Protecting sea turtles from the storm: For workers at Sea Turtle Rescue on South Padre Island, preparing for Harvey meant digging up sea turtle nests and moving the eggs to safety. And after the storm, it means rescuing hatchlings washed back onto the beaches.
Understanding the virus causing tumors on sea turtles: Scientists have been studying the virus that causes fibropapillomatosis for decades. But there’s still a lot they don’t know. Like what causes some strains to be more dangerous than others. Or why some turtles seem immune. Researchers at the University of Central Florida are trying to answer these questions and others.
Savoring turtle season: So many turtles to meet. Who knows, it could turn out to be one you met years earlier. Like in this story. How did they recognize it …
Turtle Town is open! Yes, it is indeed a town for turtles. It’s part of the Medicine Park Aquarium & Natural Sciences Center in Medicine Park, Oklahoma.
And don’t forget about the Tour de Turtles! There’s still 2 months to go. Also the Vermont/Quebec turtle census is still open.
- Follow the Tour de Turtles!: This fun but important project follows sea turtles for 3 months. It allows scientists to understand how they migrate from their nesting grounds to their feeding grounds.
- Help count turtles around northern Vermont & southern Quebec: Memphremagog Conservation Inc is asking residents to report turtle sightings. The census runs from June through October.
Recent International Turtle News
Today’s stories cover many good people trying to save and protect turtles around the world. In many cases against steep odds.
Sea turtles love Cancun too: 4 of the 7 sea turtle species visit every year to lay nests. And the Sea Turtle Protection Program aims to make them feel welcome and safe.
Indonesia making progress with conservation: The conservation program at Sukamede Beach is a prime example of how sustainable eco-tourism and conservation can work together to preserve a species. Includes video of adorable babies flopping their way to the sea.
Sea turtle rescued from marine trash: Again. 😞 Kudos to the tourists who spotted it and cared enough to get it help. But lets hope one day soon we stop endangering innocent creatures with our garbage.
Turning tragedy into hope: The 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka destroyed many homes. One man decided his devastated beachfront property would make a marvelous sea turtle sanctuary.
Navy rescues sea turtle: The crew of a patrol boat found the injured animal floating in the ocean. They named it Franklin and turned it over to wildlife rangers. Franklin is expected to make a full recovery. (Australia)
Making China’s Hainan Island safe for sea turtles again: These men want to do just that through education and conservation.
Ban fishing in Carlisle Bay? That’s the hope after a green turtle died from getting tangled in fishing line. (Barbados)