Archive for November 2014
Last Turtle Surveys of the Year Completed in Texas
by Heather Lowe– The last sampling trip of the year for the North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG) took place at Comal Springs (New Braunfels, Texas) from November 7-9, 2014. Longtime NAFTRG members Eric Munscher, Jessica Munscher, Stephen Ross, Chris Collins, Brian Bower, and Jessy Wayles were aided by new volunteers Nicole Salvatico, Mike Hillman,…
Read MoreAutumn at the Turtle Survival Center
During most of the year the climate in South Carolina is perfect for the chelonian residents at the Turtle Survival Center (TSC), but during the relatively short winter it can get pretty chilly. Some species must be brought indoors during the winter months. For those that can live outdoors year round, their enclosures are piled…
Read MoreTSA India Announces Staff Member of the Year
by Heather Lowe- Congratulations to Mr. Santram Nishad, Field Technician with the TSA India program. Santram has been recognized as the region’s Staff Member of the Year, nominated by his peers for his dedication, hard work and thorough knowledge of many riverine turtle species. Santram joined TSA India three years ago as a former turtle poacher…
Read MoreAnother Step Closer to Recovery in Bangladesh
by Heather Lowe– Continuing their on-going pursuit for remnant individuals of the Northern River Terrapin (Batagur baska) in Bangladesh, the team recently struck gold by locating what is believed to be an adult female that was recently obtained from the wild, getting them one step closer to finding (and protecting) what may be the last known…
Read MoreRupali Ghosh Receives Disney Conservation Hero Award
by Heather Lowe– The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), in partnership with the Vienna Zoo, is thrilled to announce that Rupali Ghosh has been honored with a Disney Conservation Hero Award from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF). The award recognizes local citizens for their tireless efforts to save wildlife, protect habitats and educate communities. Recipients…
Read MoreRed-Crowned Roof Turtle Assurance Colony Grows in India
by Heather Lowe- The TSA India team has been hard at work at the Kukrail Gharial and Turtle Conservation Center. Renovations were completed on two enclosures last month, followed by the modification of an unused adult gharial pond. The pond is six feet deep with a sandy nesting beach, perfect for the turtles which were just released…
Read MoreWild Turtle Populations Boosted in India
by Heather Lowe– The TSA India team experienced another successful season this year for the red-crowned roof turtle (Batagur kachuga) nest protection project in the National Chambal River Sanctuary. An average emergence rate of 90% has been observed from 800 Batagur nests that were protected across three hatcheries. In actual numbers, this translates into nearly 15,000 hatchlings! Of…
Read More