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| May 7, 2010 | |
Turtle Survival Alliance Newsletter |
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| TSA Blog |
Check out the TSA blog - featuring several updates from our new project in Belize! |
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Chambal Conservation Centre Opens in India
Patricia Koval (TSA Board of Directors and WWF-Canada Chair) recently inaugurated the newly built John Thorbjarnarson Memorial Chambal Conservation Centre in Etawah, India. John was a highly regarded crocodilian biologist, who also made his mark in chelonian conservation. He passed away on February 14, leaving a great void in the conservation community.
The new educational facility is located at the Turtle Conservation Centre, along the National Chambal (River) Sanctuary. The landmark event was held on on April 22, to celebrate both World Earth Day and the establishment day of Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF).
The Chambal Conservation (Education & Interpretation) Centre has been developed under the Turtle Survival Alliance - Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (TSA-MCBT) Indian Turtle Conservation Program and was generously funded by DWCF and the Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF). The centre aims to create awareness among the local communities and other stakeholders regarding the conservation of regional threatened freshwater turtles, gharial and other aquatic wildlife through a range of education and training programs in future.
The inauguration program included a Chambal prayer by community members, a conservation skit by local kids and a reception hosted by the center for local community members. Mrs. Koval also inaugurated the Green Headstarting Turtle Rearing Facility at the Turtle Centre by releasing a group of four-year-old Batagur kachuga turtles into the pond. This facility was partly funded by the TCF, Beneficia Foundation, DWCF, Worldwide Fund for Nature - Canada and the World Wildlife Fund. |
Like many of you, the TSA is deeply concerned about the impact of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on both marine turtles and the estuarine Diamondback Terrapin. Because the TSA's primary focus is tortoises and freshwater turtles (and our forte is not disaster relief) we have decided to direct individuals who want to help to one of our Institutional Members, the Audubon Nature Institute. Located in Louisiana, Audubon has prepared a resource page that can be accessed online and will be regularly updated. This page will provide information on the most current needs in the affected area, as well as donation and volunteer needs. To visit the Audubon Nature Institute's resource page, please click here. |
International Chelonian Congress
Ray Farrell (TSA Member) recently represented the TSA at the second International Chelonian Congress held at the Allwetter Zoo in Munster, Germany on April 16 and 17. On April 18, the group also visited the Allwetterzoo and the International Center for Turtle Conservation which is located within the Zoo.
The presentations covered several studies on the natural history, husbandry and breeding of Asian box turtles (Cuora). There were also talks on other species such as Geoemyda spengleri, an overview of the genus Chelodina, reintroduction of Geochelone elongata, and the successful keeping and breeding of Leucocephalon yuwonoi. In addition, Eric Goode (Behler Conservation Center) showed his new film (shot in Okinawa, Japan) detailing the natural history of the rare endemic Geoemyda japonica.
While representing the TSA in Germany, Ray was able to make many valuable contacts in the Cuora community. Given the rarity of this genus, the TSA is concerned about the future of these turtles and has plans to spearhead some new initiatives on their behalf in the near future. Many of these experts will be contributing to the TSA's upcoming symposium in Orlando this August, which will hopefully catalyze conservation efforts for these species in this country. The Cuora sessions will offer all TSA members working with these turtles the opportunity to hear firsthand from the world's leading experts.
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Star Tortoises Available
In the past few months there have been a number of major confiscations of smuggled turtles and tortoises headed for China. The first of these animals, a group of Indian star tortoises, is headed to the US in the next few weeks. Some of the key animals will be placed on breeding loan to experienced keepers, while other animals will be adopted out to TSA members for fees of $100-200 each. If you are interested in working with this species, please send details of your facility and experience to Dwight Lawson at Zoo Atlanta ( Dlawson@zooatlanta.org) by Monday, May 17.
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| Request for Help |
Nicholas Read, a children's book author, is looking for information about turtles in urban and/or suburban areas in the U.S. and Canada. He is currently researching his next book for Orca Book Publishers of Victoria, Canada; it will be out in the fall of 2012. Specifically, he would like to find out what turtles are still common in various parts of the U.S., particularly in suburban/urban areas. In other words, what species are a child visiting a city park most likely to see?
He'd also like to know what challenges face the urban turtle and what allows it to survive in a city? Any photos of turtles in an urban setting are also welcome. Remember, this is for a children's book, not a scientific thesis, so he's not looking for anything too detailed. If you are interested in helping out, please email Nicholas directly by clicking here. | |
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