Posted on: 2017-06-19 09:30:16
🐢 Turtle news you may have missed recently.
Recent Box Turtle News
A very long study of our favorite turtle. And two neglected boxies finally get to enjoy sunshine and good food.
Studying Box Turtles: Scientists in Aiken, SC have been tracking and studying box turtles for almost 30 years. One old guy (turtle, not researcher!) has lived in the same backyard for most of that time!
Two box turtles rescued from dark closet: They and 11 other animals had been mostly abandoned at a Nature Center. (California)
Recent U. S. Turtle News
A few items worth repeating:
- Help elect the Bog turtle New Jersey’s state reptile!: Supporters from around the world have been signing the petition. Add your name!
- 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.
- He may lose his sight for protecting a turtle: Daytona man was attacked in February after asking 3 men to stop torturing a turtle. They beat him so badly he’s still suffering the effects.
- Reserve your Turtle Watch spot for July: Your chance to see a loggerhead sea turtle nesting on Playalinda Beach or Apollo Beach. (Florida)
- New whale and sea turtle protections scrapped: Politics aside, how can anyone support fewer protections for these vulnerable animals?
Tagging turtles, tracking turtles, and trafficking turtles, among other stories.
Chinese collectors want our turtles: And poachers are willing to sell spotted turtles, box turtles and more to them. 😡
Drained slough at Augustana College adds unexpected variable to longterm study of the pond’s turtle population. Turtles may migrate to nearby waters. (Illinois)
Be mindful of sea turtles on the beach: Even if you don’t see any turtles, they’re there. You can help make sure females can find good nesting spots and babies can make it safely to the sea.
Yes, you really can save turtles with whatever you have handy … in this case a shopping bag and umbrella. Along with a hockey stick and snow brush supplied by two passersby who stopped to help.
Tracking released sea turtles: Satellite trackers send data to let researchers know where released turtles are going. You can see maps of their movements, too!
Tagging green sea turtles in Florida: Scientists want to learn where they go after nesting, among other things.
At 8 she learned about sea turtles’ low survival rate: At 20 she’s already done much to help. Including founding a non-profit to protect them and raise awareness about them.
Turtles saved hiker: Ok, technically it was a researcher studying turtles. But if not for turtles the researcher wouldn’t have been there, so …
Recent International Turtle News
News worth repeating:
- Spreading the word about the dangers of plastic to marine life: ‘Plastic Free Boy’ has a mission to protect the turtles. He’s making a difference. And a film.
- One community’s solution for protecting turtles crossing the road: Turtle tunnels! And fencing to encourage them to use their new “crosswalks.” You can find a more detailed story here.
- Bri Bri the Turtle Guy’s slow & steady campaign to protect Ontario’s turtles: He personally patrols roadways to find turtles needing help. And he teaches others how to protect turtles and the environment.
Plus more plastic talk, protecting babies, and rescuing a sea turtle.
Tourists free injured sea turtle: She had been tangled in a net for about a week. (Thailand)
Tina the green sea turtle prompts plastic bag ban talk: She was found with a stomach full of plastic bags & other trash. She died a short time later.
Tina’s death also prompts this question … Why do we keep using single-use plastics?
Did you know simple fencing can protect turtle nests?: Apparently the holes are small enough to prevent predators from digging up the eggs. And big enough to let hatchlings escape!
Baby pond terrapins were unexpected: Mama died after laying her eggs. Rescuers incubated them but didn’t think any would hatch. (India)