Posted on: 2018-01-26 10:30:21
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Turtle news we found interesting recently.
Have you seen these?
We found lots of stories out of Florida this week. From warm nests leading to fewer male turtles to cold waters causing more chilly turtles. And a new tumor treatment for sea turtles.
In other parts of the world Yoshi’s been exploring it, eggs removed from injured mom turtle hatch successfully, and plastic still makes the news too often.
Plus more.
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Recent Box Turtle News
We didn’t find any new box turtle news this week. But enjoy this Coahuilan Box Turtle from the Turtle Conservancy’s FB page!
Recent U. S. Turtle News
Where have all the boy turtles gone? Well, nowhere. They’re just not being born. 🙁 First in Australia & now in Florida.
Speaking of Florida, its weather hasn’t been kind to the turtles this year. But one young man was kind to the one he found. And Mote Marine Laboratory is looking for interns.
Also, scientists are trying a new way to treat tumors on sea turtles. No surgery needed! Plus more.
Another sea turtle population turning female: This time it’s in South Florida. Specifically Boca Raton’s beaches. One researcher hasn’t seen a boy in 3 years!
Turtle tagging internship in Florida: Help Mote Marine Laboratory monitor nighttime sea turtle activity and collect data/tag any untagged turtles. Application deadline is 03/01/2018.
Keep protecting the leatherbacks, says STC: The Sea Turtle Conservancy points out that nesting numbers of the Northwestern Atlantic leatherback population has actually declines in several areas. Loosening protections could quickly put them at greater risk.
This month’s cold-stunned turtle count in Florida: The state’s not known for getting cold enough to affect the turtles. But in early January the U.S. Geological Survey rescued around 700 turtles from St. Joseph Bay. Then another 300+ last week.
Another turtle rescue started from one adopted turtle: Last week we shared a story of a woman in New Zealand who adopted a turtle & ended up starting a rescue. Well, Kimberly Vanous of Ames, Iowa has a similar story. And big plans for her currently small rescue.
New treatment for fibropapilloma tumors in green sea turtles: Instead of surgery, researchers are trying a treatment combining chemotherapy and electric pulses to help get the chemo into the cells better. Includes video. (Florida Keys)
A young turtle savior: When 11 year old Max discovered a green sea turtle in the rocks while fishing he knew just what it was and what to do. This young turtle got a chance to recover because this young man paid attention during his school’s Turtle Watch talks. Well done, Max! 💗 (Florida)
50 sea turtles go back home: They’ve recovered from their cold stunning and are back in the Gulf of Mexico. Turtles rescued from the cold earlier in the year have been slowly going back to sea. Includes Pictures. (Texas)
Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy return to sea: The two loggerheads spent 3-1/2 months recovering at the Brevard Zoo Sea Turtle Healing Center. Includes pictures & video. (Florida)
Recent International Turtle News
This week we found an update on Yoshi’s travels. Also a snapping turtle poses for the camera, and baby longneck turtles are just photogenic!
In less positive news: Plastic, plastic, plastic. It’s still a problem.
Sea turtles vs. plastic-strewn beach: We shared this video before, but it’s a powerful visual and worth sharing again. And the explanation is in English this time.
This turtle represents all organisms affected by our garbage: A little backstory on the above video and the man who took it.
3rd hawksbill nest hatches on Sentosa beach: 106 little hatchlings made their way to the sea last week. It was the 3rd hatching since August. (Singapore)
Where’s Yoshi? Forget Waldo. Find out where Yoshi has been during her first month of freedom. You remember Yoshi, right? She’s the loggerhead who went out to sea in December after 20 years at Two Oceans Aquarium. She’s been busy too, traveling almost 1,000 km since her release! 💗
Snapping turtle closeup: This guy (or girl!) obliged the photographer by coming up for air & lingering a bit. (Ontario)
Baby longneck turtles! Veterinarians couldn’t save the female eastern longneck turtle last year. But the head nurse at the animal hospital removed the eggs she was carrying. And took them home with him! The adorable little critters hatched successfully & will have a chance at life in the wild. Includes very cute baby pictures. 💗 (Queensland, Australia)
Turtles dying on Chennai coast: The number of dead turtles on the beaches there has shot up in recent years. Many are victims of plastic bags or fishing nets. (Warning: The video & some of the pictures contain disturbing images) 😢 (eastern India)
Baby sea turtle tries to eat plastic strapping: It didn’t go well. 😢 But luckily help arrived in time. Includes pictures of the rescue. (Malta)
Do turtles celebrate Christmas? No, but last December shoppers at one mall celebrated not having to wrap Christmas presents! The gift-wrapping service raised $5975 for turtle monitoring. (Australia)
Thoughts on sea turtle conservation: We need integrated conservation measures, according to the author.