Posted on: 2017-09-08 10:30:27
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Recent turtle news you may have missed.
We have box turtle research, many rescued sea turtles, concern for turtle nests, and lots more.
Oh! And baby terrapins at JFK airport.
Recent Box Turtle News
Studying box turtles! One student doing it, and an opportunity for others to help with next year’s research.
University of North Georgia studies Eastern box turtles: The project looks at the turtles’ home range and how they use their habitat.
And if studying boxies sounds like your idea of a good time, this might be for you:
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!
Recent U. S. Turtle News
Two sad deaths (one preventable ), along with lots of new turtle lives, and a turtle surprise.
RIP Merlin the tortoise: Poor Merlin escaped his yard and wandered in the wrong direction. A neighbor who claimed he thought the tortoise was a dangerous snapping turtle (really?!) shot him. (Indiana)
RIP Tony Amos: The founder of Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) was a true friend to the sea turtles and other marine life.
The JFK terrapins are hatching! Remember the delays at JFK airport because terrapins were on the runway? Their eggs are hatching. And the babies are adorable. (pictures and video)
More Anna Maria Island nests hatching this year: At least 74 more compared to last year, with 103 still waiting to hatch. Unfortunately, more hatchlings have been disoriented due to artificial lighting this year, too.
Lots of green sea turtle nests in central Florida: They’re nesting in record numbers this year. That’s great news. Lets hope the unhatched nests survive Irma, since they can’t exactly evacuate. Experts do think Irma’s overall impact on sea turtle populations will be small. Let’s hope they’re right.
Zoos & wildlife centers had plans for their animals ahead of Irma: If necessary, they’re sending sea turtles and other animals to safer locations.
Turtles were a surprise in filthy pond: Chula Vista, California drained the pond to clean it. And discovered more than 100 turtles! They’ve been rescued & will be up for adoption.
Recent International Turtle News
A call to action on plastic pollution, multiple reminders of how garbage in the oceans hurts sea turtles, and much more.
Plastic Alarm to be part of Environment Week Australia: The film, by “Plastic Free Boy” Arlian Ecker, tells the story of a sea turtle rescued after being harmed by plastic.
Fishing line vs. Turtle … again! Another lucky turtle gets freed by a kind human. Too bad so many other humans keep polluting our oceans with garbage.
Two tangled hawksbills rescued: They were tangled in fishing net. One has a deep cut to its flipper. Story includes a link to a Facebook video clip of the rescue. (Phuket, Thailand)
Tiny turtle rescued from fishing net: This one was a baby with the net wrapped so tight it could barely move. Includes pictures & video. (Turkey)
Turtle vs. fishing net, take 4 (or more): This one was found, and freed, around the Banderas Bay area of Mexico. (video)
Swimming with a loggerhead! This big guy let divers hang out with him until they ran low on air.
Turtle Nests deliberately destroyed: Quad bikers drove over 19 nests, destroying the cages protecting the nests. And probably the eggs in them. (Cyprus)
Now will they learn? Three men got jail sentences (from 12 to 20 months) for trafficking in green sea turtle eggs. The men are Filipino and will be referred to Immigration Dept. when they’ve finished their sentences. (Malaysia)
These kids helped instead of destroying: This group of young people saw a stranded turtle and helped it get back to the sea. Much better than the previous two stories. (Oman)
She found a really safe spot for her nest: Unfortunately, the sea turtle got herself trapped under the deck after laying her eggs. Two kind humans dug her out. (Little Cayman)
Green sea turtle conservation program on Cham Island: The first batch of babies is ready for release. The program will run for 3 years. (Vietnam)
Turtle lives come before partying: Good call! Officials canceled a private beach party when they found it would endanger nearby turtles. (Cyprus)
Baby snappers saved from parking lot: Mama was seen at the endge of the parking lot last spring. Nobody realized at the time that it was a mama laying eggs. Until they saw her babies. Aren’t they adorable? (Shrewsbury, England)