Posted on: 2018-03-02 10:30:36
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Recent turtle stories you may have missed.
Two dedicated sea turtle protectors, and sea turtle egg poachers caught in the act, thanks to a little luck.
Plus kids helping an injured turtle, and gopher tortoises helping other species (indirectly, but still …).
Also a UK company with a name to match its mission, a marine science lab with an open door policy, and much more.
We hope you enjoy. And have a turtle-rific weekend.
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Recent Box Turtle News
No new boxie news this week.
Instead, enjoy this beautiful ornate box turtle posing for the camera at Turtles And Tortoises Inc..
Recent U. S. Turtle News
This week we discovered two people who have each spent decades protecting sea turtles. And their work’s not done yet.
Meanwhile sea turtle nesting season is starting in the U.S. That means, among other things, protecting nests. But at least 2 egg poachers are now out of commission.
We also found elementary school students using their project to help an injured turtle, an interesting story on how saving the gopher tortoise can help even more species, plus more.
Sea turtle hero recognized: She’s been protecting sea turtles (especially Kemp’s ridleys) for more than 30 years. And the International Sea Turtle Society recently recognized her dedication with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
48 years studying & protecting Hawaii’s green sea turtles: The turtles and the people who love them can thank George Balazs for their continued survival. It was his efforts (and his data) that convinced Hawaii officials to ban the commercial turtle trade in the early 1970s.
Sea turtle nesting season is starting! On Florida’s Treasure Coast it’s time to start watching for sea turtle nests. Leatherbacks should be coming 1st. Officials don’t expect to match last year’s record-breaking numbers for green sea turtles.
Catching sea turtle egg poachers takes dedication … and sometimes a little luck: A tracking device failed, but an alert officer spotted the poachers’ car. And then witnessed them digging up a nest, making the charges more serious. (Florida)
Confiscated reptiles on road to recovery: Well, most of them anyway. A few were just too sick to make it. 🙁 Salt Lake County Animal Services confiscated more than 200 turtles & snakes from a rescuer in Jan. & Feb. Other rescues are now trying to get the sick ones healthy.
Save the gopher tortoise to save countless other endangered species: Not that this ancient species isn’t worthy of saving all on its own. But gopher tortoises’ long, deep winter burrows offer refuge to many other animals, too. Increasing the number of tortoises increases the number of burrows (duh!). And that then gives those other animals more places to survive the winter too.
Elementary students using 3D printing to help injured turtle: The robotics class was looking specifically to help animals. And a local rescue had the perfect candidate: Jigsaw the turtle is missing a big hunk of shell.
Illinois’ newest snapping turtle … is an 18-foot, 50-ton sculpture planned for a park in Grafton, Illinois.
Oil-covered green sea turtle in Texas: The poor thing had been dead for a couple of days when it was found washed up on the beach. Officials are trying to figure out what happened and how it got covered in oil.
Recent International Turtle News
Stories we found interesting include beautiful turtle symbolism in the Olympics closing ceremony.
Also a UK company dedicated to happy turtles … oh, and plastic-free straws & cups for restaurants.
Elsewhere a new marine science lab invites the public to come watch its scientists, olive ridleys nest in record numbers in Odisha (India), and 2 new marine parks are coming to the Saychelles. Plus more
A turtle arrives for Olympics closing ceremony: Did you see the colorful turtle helping to close out this year’s Olympics? It was there to help us remember those who have passed. And it was beautiful.
Plastic-free disposables make for very happy turtles: And that’s what the Happy Turtle Company makes. Paper straws and cups for both hot & cold drinks. Soon hopefully wooden cutlery and sustainable takeaway containers, too. The owners plan to use the products in their own restaurant. And they hope other restaurants will also buy them. The company is based in Bude, in Cornwall, England.
151 turtles & tortoises rescued from wildlife trafficker: The lucky turtles will go back to their normal habitats, including freshwater ponds, rivers, and the sea (green sea turtles).
Turtle Watch volunteers needed: Dundas Turtle Watch patrols roads & other areas to protect turtles and other wildlife as well as collect data on them. The time commitment is only a couple of hours a week. (Ontario, Canada)
Exchanging debt payment for marine lives: Sea turtles, dolphins, & other marine life will have another 81,000 acres of protected seas to play in thanks to a unique debt swap agreement. The Nature Conservancy is paying off part of the Saychelles national debt in exchange for the country creating 2 new marine parks.
Come watch marine scientists at work: The Oceans of Opportunity Centre will includes a science laboratory where the public can visit and learn about the scientists’ current projects.
Captain Hook recovering after surgery: The long-necked turtle has a heavy-duty hook down its throat. Lucky for him, a concerned citizen found him in the road & brought him to a local vet. (Queensland, Australia)
Record breaking mass nesting underway: On the beaches at the Rushikulya rookery (Odisha, India) thousands of olive ridley sea turtles crawl ashore each day to lay eggs. This year’s event may be bigger than last year’s.
Eastern longneck babies get a fighting chance: Foxes kept eating the eggs. So this year volunteers helped rangers protect nests with metal grids. Now the little critters are hatching and getting help getting into the water, where they’re much more likely to survive. (Canberra, Australia)
Stop harassing sea turtles: Not only is it wrong, it’s illegal in most places. And posting pictures on social media will just give authorities reason to come looking for you. If identified, these tourists will find that out.