Posted on: 2018-11-16 10:30:48
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Turtle news we found interesting this week.
Conservation works. Especially when locals help. But it can be a struggle to get turtles listed as endangered.
Some sea turtles released, and lots more needed rescuing. Some from poachers.
How do hatchlings know where they’re going? And why must some live surrounded by plastic?
Plus more.
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Recent Box Turtle News
No new box turtle news again this week. So enjoy and marvel at the beauty (and adorableness!) of 6 different subspecies of box turtle babies. 💚
Recent U. S. Turtle News
Southern waters are still warm enough for some releases. But northern waters are causing problems earlier than usual for any sea turtles that didn’t head south soon enough.
Also an interesting study on how hatchlings find their way from nest to water, lots of garbage collected from an uninhabited marine sanctuary, and more.
Sea turtle releases news
Bye-bye Gamora & Taserface: The 2 loggerheads went back home to the sea last week. Includes video. (Florida)
37 loggerhead hatchlings finally make it to the sea: After a short detour to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The babies didn’t make it out on their own after hatching, so CMA gave them some TLC and then brought them out to the seaweed line offshore to start their new lives. Includes video. (Florida)
Cold stunning & rescues news
Already lots of cold-stunned turtles in Massachusetts: The season doesn’t usually start until mid-November, but already there has been more than 40 turtles washed up on shore.
Meet Maverick: He’s a cold-stun patient from last year who shows just how long it can sometimes take these turtles to recover. Staff at the Sea Turtle Hospital keep giving him the TLC he needs to hopefully make it back to the sea one day.
Leatherback sea turtle rescued from an Eastham beach: Sadly, although it looked pretty healthy on the beach, staff at the New England Aquarium say it was in poor shape by the time it got to them. Includes pictures and video of the rescue. (Massachusetts)
Other turtle news
Blanding’s hatchlings find their way using the sun: Even if they can’t see the water they’re heading for, the sun keeps them on track.
Tina the turtle has a snazzy new home: Back in August we shared the story of Tina, a river cooter who calls the Katonah Library in New York home. She had outgrown her tank, and a fundraiser was underway for a new one. On Oct. 22 she got it. 💚
82 tons of garbage removed from Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument: Divers also rescued 2 green sea turtles tangled in fishing nets. There aren’t even any people living in the area. But garbage we toss elsewhere travels to this protected area on currents and hurts marine animals living there. 😢
Lawsuit aims to finally get Pearl River and Pascagoula map turtles the protection they need: The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the federal government to get the turtles listed under the Endangered Species Act. The group originally petitioned for the turtles’ inclusion back in 2010, but the US Fish & Wildlife Service has been taking its sweet time making a decision.
Recent International Turtle News
Good news for an Amazon turtle population. But sad news for several in Australia.
More poachers arrested. And using science to hopefully find (and stop!) even more. Plus more.
Sea turtle rescue news
Green sea turtle recovering after possible boat strike: It also passed lots of plastic & other garbage. 😢 Experts will decide later if the turtle can be released. (Taiwan)
Canadian navy looking for drugs frees turtle instead: The ship stopped to inspect a buoy in the eastern Pacific where it was patrolling. The crew didn’t find drugs, but did find a trapped turtle. Includes pictures & video. (Central America)
A look at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre: And the life-saving work it does. Includes a fascinating (but sometimes graphic) video.
Turtle conservation news
Saving Australia’s turtles: Most specifically the eastern long-necked and Murray short-necked turtles. Their population numbers have plummeted. And they’re out & about looking for nesting sites right now. So people need to be aware & pay attention on the roads. Please & thank you! Includes pictures.
Beach patrols protect the sea turtles: Special teams are patrolling nesting beaches in Qatar. The patrols will continue through the end of hatching season. We’re happy to see so many countries taking the protection of their sea turtles seriously.
Local protection efforts bring Amazon turtle population back to life: For 40 years locals have helped protect nesting beaches along the Amazon river. And on those beaches the Giant South American turtle is thriving. And so are other species! 💚 It’s a win all around. Includes picture & video. (Brazil)
Cayman Turtle Centre celebrates 50 years with turtle release: Last weekend hundreds came out to cheer as 25 green sea turtles went back home. Includes video.
Turtle poaching news
4 poachers arrested: 260 turtles saved. (India)
Poachers couldn’t wait for her to lay eggs: Instead they sliced her open and took the eggs. 😡 Warning: Includes graphic pictures.
Using science to stop poachers: Scientists have started work on a project where they will test hawksbill turtle DNA and the DNA in tortoiseshell products for sale. They hope this will let them track the illegal products back to where they came from.
38 turtles recovered from woman at rail station: She had apparently stolen the turtles out of several different lakes. (India)
Miscellaneous turtle news
Another turtle population is turning female: We’ve seen it in green sea turtles around the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) and a painted turtle population in the Mississippi River. Hatchlings in recent years have been all or almost all girls. Now the same thing is happening with flatback turtles in Australia, and the population could become all female in another 15 years or so.
Will beach erosion slow sea turtle mating & nesting? Experts are worried recent high tides that both cause erosion and dump garbage on the beach will indeed slow down Olive Ridley activity around Rushikulya Beach. 😢
Baby sea turtles living on floating mats of plastic: Well technically it’s the floating seaweed out in the ocean, where they spend their first few years. But these seaweed mats also trap garbage, and one mat that got swept onto the beach was about half plastic waste. 😢 Video.
Turtle drowns after getting caught in fish pot: The pot was untagged and in a marine protected area. 😡 Warning: includes picture. (Grand Cayman)