Posted on: 2017-09-05 10:30:23
🐢
Turtles stories we found interesting recently.
We found a box turtle internship, sea turtles surviving hurricane Harvey, and a living turtle museum looking for a new home.
Recent Box Turtle News
Today we have a fun opportunity to study box turtles, and a grumpy box turtle waiting to be reunited with its family.
Ever wanted to study box turtles? Here’s your chance! The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for field assistants for 2018. It’s an unpaid internship, but it looks like fun!
Let Hector go home! The “grumpy” box turtle has been stuck at Gatwick Airport for more than 2 months. Her mom was accused of trying to smuggle her into the UK. Airport officials are charging 200 per month until the case is resolved. The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay it.
Recent U. S. Turtle News
Today’s news includes a reminder about buying tiny turtles (don’t!), sea turtles surviving Harvey, and a balloon ban on Palm Beach beaches.
That tiny turtle may be illegal: Federal law bans the sale of turtles with shells smaller than 4 inches. That didn’t stop at least one seller on a Trenton (NJ) street corner. Those tiny turtles are also more likely to spread salmonella (like the current outbreak in 13 states).
U.S. Coast Guard rescue operation in Texas includes a sea turtle: They’ve named it Harvey.
Sea turtles at the Amos Rehabilitation Keep survived Harvey: The turtles had to ride out the storm, but they made it. Some were released after the storm. The rest have a new home at the Texas Sealife Center.
Give these kids a round of applause: They’ve been collecting their spare change to help the turtles at the NC Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center. They recently brought their donation to the aquarium.
Balloons now banned on 11 Palm Beach beaches: The ban went into effect on September 1. The ban should mean many fewer turtles mistaking balloons for tasty jellyfish.
University of Georgia and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources team up for sea turtle research: The work involves monitoring the turtles out in the open water, where they live. The collaboration is in its 18th year.
It was a turtle brigade: Community members spent a morning making sure baby turtles got safely across the road. (Minnesota)
Green sea turtle nests on Pawleys Island (SC): Why is this exciting? It hasn’t happened in 10 years. (video)
That turtle can move! The video’s only 7 seconds, but the spiny softshell turtle disappears that quick. :0
And don’t forget, you can still track the turtles in the Tour de Turtles and report your Vermont/Quebec turtle sightings.
- 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
Recent stories include a turtle museum in peril, a sick turtle abandoned, and a sea turtle revived. Plus much more.
It’s a live turtle museum! The only one in the world. But, it may need to close if it can’t find a new home soon. Around 60% of the Singapore museum’s 500+ turtles are rescues.
Divers want marine protections extended around Carlisle Bay: They also want the legal authority to enforce the protections. And they’re willing to do it without government money. (Barbados)
Another turtle freed from plastic: It’s happening much too often. As heartwarming as it is to see people stepping up to help when they find an animal in need, how many animals aren’t found in time? 🙁 It’s time to use less plastic. And clean up any plastic you do use.
Swollen turtle abandoned in a park … in its tank! The poor thing looks like it’s bursting out of its shell. 🙁 (England)
Poor Odin fought hard: The leatherback sea turtle had suffered severe injuries. The Zoomarine sea life park had been caring for him, but he just couldn’t win the fight. RIP Odin. 🙁 (Portugal)
Hope for Myanmar roofed turtles: A breeding program has increased the number of captive turtles to around 900. The number in the wild may be as low as 8.
Green sea turtles help monitor water pollution: Scientists have analyzed blood samples from the turtles to get an idea of the type and amount of pollution around the Great Barrier Reef.
Kitesurfer helps overheated turtle: The poor thing got trapped in hot, shallow water. Watch it come alive in deeper, cooler waters. (video) (Quatar)
Help keep Canada’s turtles safe! A conversation with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. (podcast, 2nd link on page)
And please leave Canada’s turtles in the wild: Also, don’t release non-native turtles. Red-eared sliders tend to outcompete native turtles. 🙁
Thousands of turtle eggs & hatchlings saved every year: Thanks to the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia. The Society also organizes awareness programs and other campaigns to encourage the public to help protect the turtles.
500 well-wishers for Captain and Pebby’s return home: The two green sea turtles had “floater syndrome” earlier this year. They seemed happy to get back to the sea. (Coffs Harbour, Australia)
Hong Kong wants its green sea turtles back: But first the marine garbage has to go. The turtles haven’t been seen laying eggs in five years.