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| August 9, 2010 | |
Turtle Survival Alliance Newsletter |
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Critical Funding Shortfall for Hong Kong Turtle Rescue
 Plans are finally coming together to import some of the turtles from the February trade confiscation in Hong Kong. Mortality was high on this group despite heroic efforts on the part of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. However, the TSA is ready to import a group of 50 adult Yellow-headed temple turtles, Heosemys annandalii, that will expand our assurance colony for this species. However, air freight is proving cost prohibitive - each turtle weigh from 6 - 12 kg each - and the estimated charges are $11- 12,000 US. Our previous appeal for funding raised just over $2,500 so we are looking at a serious shortfall and we desperately need your help. Please consider sponsoring one of these magnificent turtles. If just 50 people sponsor a turtle at $150 each, we can make this happen! Click here to donate today.
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Auction Excitement is Building!
The auction event is a highlight of the symposium each year. This year's live auction will be held at Gatorland on Wednesday night, August 18, and will feature at least two truly extraordinary items. The first is an original painting by noted wildlife artist Carel Brest van Kampen of a Radiated Tortoise. The painting is beautifully framed and all proceeds will go towards finding a solution to the extinction crisis that is currently threatening the Radiated tortoise. Click here for more information.
In addition, Frank and Kate Slavens have generously donated an original copy of John G. Holbrook's North American Herpetology, 1842, Vol. 1 - the one dedicated to turtles. According to Frank "It has a very nice binding but the book itself does have a lot of foxing all through the text and plates. It's still a good useable copy, it is an original and it is on turtles." Click here to see a sample of one of the plates. The going price for this book is in the $3,500 to $4,000 range and live auction bidding will start at $2,000. If you are not coming to the conference and are interested in this rare collector's item, please ask someone to bid for you. Or if you want to bid by phone we can set that up for you. If interested, please call 817-759-7177 by mid day Friday, August 13.
And remember, for those of you who are going to be attending conference - you are critical to our auction's success! Donated items of all types are accepted for both the live and silent auctions. Turtle-themed items are always a hit, but remember - no live animals, please. Auction donation forms and further details can be found on the TSA website. |
Keynote Speaker Announced
The TSA is pleased to announce that Russ Mittermeier will present the keynote address during the opening session of the upcoming conference in Orlando. Russ is currently President of Conservation International, a position he has held since 1989. He has been with the TSA since Day 1 and was instrumental in supporting the group - through CI - during its formative years. He is a well known primatologist and herpetologist, specializing in chelonians, specifically South American chelids. He has conducted fieldwork for over 40 years on three continents and in more than 20 countries in mainly tropical locations, notably Brazil, Suriname and Madagascar. He is widely recognized as one of the leading conservation biologists working today and has championed the protection of biodiversity and wild places for decades. |
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The Chambal Conservation Centre opened in April. DWCF Funds from 2008 helped to build this facility. | TSA Receives Disney Grant for India
The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) recently announced their grants for 2010, which included a $21,000 award to the TSA for their Indian Turtle Conservation Program. This is the second grant that DWCF has awarded to this comprehensive program that includes multiple components ranging from education and community awareness, egg collection - hatching and release, headstarting, poacher conversion workshops, field research and turtle population monitoring. |
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| Save on your Shuttle! |
Mears Transportation Group is offering discounted airport shuttle serivce for TSA Conference attendees! Conference attendees are eligible for a $3 discount on a round trip shuttle from Orlando International Airport to the Rosen Plaza hotel. Round trip prices for adults are regularly $29, $23 for children.
Click here to print a coupon that you can take to the Mears counter in the airport. Or, click here to make your online reservation today! If booking online, be sure to select the Rosen PLAZA Main Entrance (not one of the other Rosen properties). See you in Orlando! | |
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