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World's Rarest Turtle Lays 63 Eggs
Is third time the charm for world's most endangered turtle?
On June 15th our efforts to breed the last remaining pair of Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtles, Rafetus swinhoei were rewarded with 63 eggs. Our team in China removed half of the eggs from the nest to incubate at varying levels of temperature and humidity, while leaving the remaining eggs in the nest to incubate naturally.
We expect additional clutches of eggs to be laid in the coming weeks.
This is our third year of working to save these giant turtles from extinction. In previous years eggs have also been produced, but were not viable. With an additional year of the parents receiving better nutrition, we hope the third time is the charm. Stay tuned for the latest news on our Rafetus page
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Beneficia Foundation Provides $45,000
 We are honored to have received this significant grant; the largest in four years of funding from Beneficia.
The Beneficia Foundation is a private foundation established in 1953
by Theodore Pitcairn. Directors of the Foundation are descendants of
Theodore Pitcairn and their spouses.
Beneficia's
mission is to enhance the quality of life through conservation of the
environment and promotion of the arts.
Beneficia
favors programs which are: |
8 Weeks to TSA Conference
It is just 8 weeks until the 8th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, in Orlando, FL.
Join
us for the world's largest gathering of tortoise and freshwater turtle
biologists, turtle enthusiasts, and captive breeding specialists in the
world. You know you want to be there!
Conference registration is also available online, along with other event details. Check out the conference page. |
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Conference Auction Items Needed
The silent and live auctions are always a ton of fun at conference - and they help to generate funds that support the TSA! We hope to convince Brian Horne to once again wield the gaval! The success of these auctions (and the symposium!) depends on the generous donation of auction items each year from TSA members and conference attendees. If you are joining us in Orlando this August, please consider bringing some items with you to donate to the cause. Popular items each year include turtle-themed art, books, jewelry or other collectables. Anything is welcome, but items with a turtle or wildlife theme are generally the most sought-after.
Each donated item should be accompanied by an auction form, which can be downloaded by clicking here.
For those who were in St. Louis last year, you may remember the beautiful print that the TSA commissioned from artist Tell Hicks to benefit the Burmese roofed turtle program. We will have a new piece available this year by a different artist, Carel Brest van Kempen, benefitting the TSA's Madagascar program. The original art, featuring a beautiful radiated tortoise, will be sold during our live auction and limited edition prints will be available for purchase.
Not attending conference, but still want to contribute? Contact Heather Lowe to discuss details or just download a donation form, which includes shipping instructions. |
Job Opening: Director of Animal Management
TSA seeks Director of Animal Management  |
The Turtle Survival Alliance is pleased to announce the
creation of a new position, Director of Animal Management, with responsibility
for strategic development and management oversight of turtle assurance colonies
to support our conservation mission. The position reports to the Executive
Director and works closely with the TSA Animal Management Committee and the TSA
Animal Registrar based at Zoo Atlanta. Salary commensurate with experience.
Responsibilities Develop
and maintain the TSA Animal Collection Plan. Develop
(or assist Species Managers to develop) Management Plans for designated
priority species.
Monitor and
evaluate the implementation of all such plans annually.
Recruit Species Managers where
needed, and actively implement Management Plans for species with no
Manager. Review
and update animal management policies and procedures as needed. Work
with the TSA Animal Registrar to maintain accurate animal records and to
produce an annual animal inventory. Prepare
twice yearly activity reports regarding the animal collection to be
presented to the TSA Board as part of the Animal Management Committee
report. Work
with the TSA Animal Registrar in all animal acquisitions, deacquisitions
and transfers. Help prepare
want/surplus lists as needed.
Develop
an annual Work Program regarding tasks to be accomplished during the
upcoming year. Other
duties as assigned.
Criteria
Advanced degree in biology or related field strongly preferred.
Possesses
advanced knowledge of, and demonstrated experience in, small population
management in a captive setting.
Has an
excellent working knowledge of turtle husbandry practices and conservation
programs.
Has
practical experience with maintaining accurate animal records.
Possesses
excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to
prepare reports and other documents, interface with diverse audiences, and
develop working relationships with individuals and institutions involved
in animal management issues.
Must
be highly motivated and organized.
Must also demonstrate a willingness to adapt positively to
corporate change.
Must
be proficient in basic computer skills.
Application Procedure
Interested
persons should send a resume, a description of relevant experience, and
the names, email addresses and phone numbers of three references to scott.davis@turtlesurvival.org
on or before 19 July 2010. The
anticipated start date is 1 October 2010.
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Conference Update from Andrew Walde
Papers / Posters Update
Thank-you for submitting your abstracts on time. We will be processing these over the next couple of days. You should hear from someone in the next two weeks whether your talk/poster has been accepted for presentation at the conference. Don't forget that your abstract will not be considered if you have not registered for the conference. Registration information can be found at the conference site
Travel Grants Update
We have received approximately three times more travel grants than we will be able to award. Many of the Travel Grant applicants have indicated on their travel grant applications that they are willing to share a room with another conference participant. In the collaborative spirit of the TSA, we would like to ask if any of you would be willing to open up your room to a colleague. This would not only be of great assistance to your colleague but will also help the TSA in getting as many people to the conference as want to attend. Your speedy assistance on this matter would be greatly appreciated as we are reviewing the applications currently. Alternatively, if you or your organization are interested in sponsoring a Travel Grant we would be happy to assist you with this donation. Please respond directly to Andrew Walde at awalde@turtlesurvival.org
Don't forget to book your room early to get the best rates!
Thanks,
Andrew
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Conference Workshop on Cuora August 19
Captive Management of Cuora: An Alternative to Extinction in
the Wild
Cuora yunnanensis. Photo: Ting Zhou, Bill McCord, Torsten Blanck  |
The
genus Cuora is among the most
threatened of Asian turtles with several species already extinct in the
wild. As such, captive management
is the sole remaining option for their conservation. The purpose of this workshop is to make an initial
assessment of captive populations of Cuora
in China, Europe and North America and to lay the foundations for a long term
captive breeding effort. Where
wild populations remain, we should try to determine their viability over the
next few years. Where wild
populations no longer remain, we need to determine where founder animals are
being held and to share husbandry information and the success of captive
breeding efforts for each species. Husbandry and reproductive data should be shared among holders of these
species so that everyone who is holding animals is also breeding them. Where taxonomic confusion is
compromising breeding programs, we should try to agree on the steps necessary
to reach a final resolution.
This workshop is open to all TSA Conference attendees.
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Oil Spill's Toll on Gulf Coast Terrapins
Photo: Birmingham News file / Bernard Troncale  | A recent article in the Birmingham News discusses how Alabama's tenuous population of Diamondback Terrapins may be impacted by the oil spill. The TSA is looking for field reports and images from our Gulf Coast members to help ascertain how significant the damage has been. Please send your observations and images to hlowe@turtlesurvival.org |
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