Conservation in Action

Turtle Survival Center

Located in Cross, South Carolina, the Turtle Survival Center (TSC) was founded to support our vision of Zero Turtle Extinctions® worldwide. Since 2013, we have established scientifically managed populations of critically endangered species and provided opportunities for involvement for turtle conservationists of all ages.

Home to more than 800 animals representing 27 turtle and tortoise species, including many of the world’s most endangered, the TSC has become a global model for conservation breeding and research. Here, the species maintained for population management have been carefully chosen based on one or more of the following criteria: conservation status, lack of effective protection in the wild, poor history of captive-breeding success, and the ability to thrive in South Carolina’s mild, subtropical climate.

Our Approach

We believe that, when appropriate, ex situ (in captivity) conservation should be used to support in situ (in nature) conservation. We seek to accomplish this by integrating TSC programs with our field programs, as well as those of our partner organizations and governments. Providing viable options for the future, offspring produced from our breeding programs can be used for wild population augmentation or reintroduction.

Species at the TSC

  • Rote Island Snake-necked Turtle (Chelodina mccordi)
  • Bourret’s Box Turtle (Cuora bourreti)
  • Southeast Asian Box Turtle (Cuora couro kamaroma)
  • Yellow-headed Box Turtle (Cuora aurocapitata aurocapitata and Cuora aurocapitata dabieshani)
  • Vietnamese Three-striped Box Turtle (Cuora cyclornata annamitica)
  • Yellow-margined Box Turtle (Cuora flavomarginata)
  • Indochinese Box Turtle (Cuora galbinifrons)
  • McCord’s Box Turtle (Cuora mccordi)
  • Keeled Box Turtle (Cuora mouhotii mouhotii and Cuora mouhotii obsti)
  • Pan’s Box Turtle (Cuora pani)
  • Southern Vietnam Box Turtle (Cuora picturata)
  • Philippine Box Turtle (Cuora philippinensis)
  • Chinese Three-striped Box Turtle (Cuora trifasciata trifasciata and Cuora trifasciata luteocephala)
  • Zhou’s Box Turtle (Cuora zhoui)
  • Burmese Star Tortoise (Geochelone platynota)
  • Spotted Pond Turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii)
  • Arakan Forest Turtle (Heosemys depressa)
  • Spiny Turtle (Heosemys spinosa)
  • Forsten’s Tortoise (Indotestudo forstenii)
  • Sulawesi Forest Turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi)
  • Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei)
  • Vietnamese Pond Turtle (Mauremys annamensis)
  • Red-necked Pond Turtle (Mauremys nigricans)
  • Chinese Stripe-necked Turtle (Mauremys sinensis)
  • Asian Big-headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum)
  • Beale’s Eyed Turtle (Sacalia bealei)
  • Flattened Musk Turtle (Sternotherus depressus)

Internships

The TSC offers internship opportunities for students age 18 and up. Explore our current internship listings at the link below.

Sponsorship

Interested in donating to the TSC or sponsoring our conservation efforts, both on site and around the globe? We’d love to connect.

Volunteer Opportunities

We host regular on-site volunteer events for individuals and groups. Please contact Clinton Doak at the link below for more information.

School Trips

We welcome young turtle conservationists to learn about captive husbandry, chelonian reproductive biology, veterinary care and more.

Learn from Us

Our next Chelonian Biology, Conservation, and Management Course will be held September 13 – 19, 2026. Read for more information!

Support

We are always in need of resources to make our conservation work at the TSC possible. Explore our Amazon Wishlist today for essential supplies that support our efforts.

The Turtle Survival Center is an Accredited Related Facility of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Subscribe for Turtle News

Subscribe to receive the Turtle Survival Alliance email newsletter and stay up-to-date on the latest in turtle conservation.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.