Update from Madagascar: 4/24/2018, Part 1 of 2
by Jordan Gray Ifaty, Madagascar – Update from Madagascar – April 24, 2018, Part 1 of 2. Yesterday, Monday, April 23, 2018 was the first day on-site for the team of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, husbandry specialists, pathologists, and communications specialists at SOPTOM-Villages des Tortues where the nearly 10,000 Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) seized in a […]
World’s Rarest Turtle Discovered in Vietnam!
by Jordan Gray A photograph taken of the Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle in Xuan Khanh Lake in May 2017. This photo however did not constitute clear evidence until a DNA sample could verify the species. Photo by: Nguyen Van Trong – ATP/IMC The Asian Turtle Program of Indo-Myanmar Conservation, Washington State University, and Turtle Survival […]
Radiated Tortoise Press Release 2018
by Jordan Gray For Immediate Release April 18, 2018 Turtle Survival Alliance Launches Rescue Mission to Nearly 11,000 Critically Endangered Radiated Tortoises Discovered in Massive Poaching Bust Animal experts from AZA-accredited Zoos and Aquariums Dispatched to Madagascar to Conduct the Rescue On Tuesday, April 10, more than 10,000 critically endangered Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) were […]
People Make the Difference!
by Jordan Gray If humans are the problem for the tortoises and turtles of the earth, humans must also be the solution! As human-created pressures continue to mount for the well over 400 species and subspecies of tortoises and turtles on this planet, it takes incredible people to make a difference. Here in Madagascar, many […]
Update from Madagascar – April 24, 2018, Part 2 of 2
by Jordan Gray Ifaty, Madagascar – Update from Madagascar – April 24, 2018, Part 2 of 2. Immediately upon arrival, the over 1000 lbs. (484 kg) of medical supplies that were brought with our team from the United States were unpacked and organized so that the veterinary team could immediately begin evaluations and treatments for […]
Changing of the Guard!
by Jordan Gray This past weekend in Ifaty, Madagascar, we again said goodbye to an incredible group of wildlife warriors and hello to a new! During each transition period between response teams, it is important that we ensure the nearly 10,000 Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) continue to receive world-class veterinary and animal care. To ensure […]
Farewell and Thank You Bonnie!
by¬†Jordan Gray¬† “This past week, we said goodbye to Dr. Bonnie Raphael, the heart and soul of this operation for the past month, but not before celebrating her birthday with a fine celebration. Big jobs call for big personalities and Bonnie rose to the occasion as she always does. She is, as I am fond […]
“Salama” Team Radiata 2!
by Jordan Gray Just as quickly as we said goodbye to most of “Team Radiata 1,” we have said “hello” or “salama” to a new group of amazing wildlife warriors in Ifaty, Madagascar! “Team Radiata 2” arrived from the United States over the weekend and beginning of this week, and again consists of veterinarians, veterinary […]
Fantastic Four!
by Jordan Gray It’s been nearly two months since the more than 10,000 Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) were seized from wildlife traffickers, and our response teams are still hard at work in Madagascar! Currently, “Team Radiata 4” continues this profound relief effort by providing daily medical and animal care for the thousands of tortoises still […]
Enough Food for an Army!
by Jordan Gray With so many hungry mouths to feed, we must ensure all of the nearly 10,000 Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) seized from wildlife traffickers receive proper nutrition. To do this, each day, hundreds of pounds of food is purchased, delivered, and distributed to the thousands of tortoises being cared for at the SOPTOM-CRCC’s […]
2018 Symposium Recap
by Jordan Gray Turtles. Texas. The former is arguably the most popular group of reptiles. The latter, well you know‚Äî”Everything is bigger in Texas.” And so it was that from Sunday, August 12th to Wednesday, August 15th, over 270 die-hard “turtle nerds” from around the world descended on Fort Worth, Texas for the 16th Annual […]
World Turtle Day® 2018
by¬†Jordan Gray¬† Dear Friends of Turtles, Today we celebrate the beauty and diversity of turtles and tortoises, and share our passion and commitment to protecting them. Although May 23rd marks a singular, yet important day for spreading global awareness of chelonian conservation, every day is “World Turtle Day®” for us at the Turtle Survival Alliance. […]
