Happy Holidays from the TSA!

Cris Hagen

With projects in Belize, Brazil, Madagascar, Senegal and throughout Asia, the global impact of the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) has expanded in ways that barely seemed possible when the group was formed in 2001. From that single meeting of a small group of concerned individuals, a conservation organization was born that has been able to "rise to the occasion" time and again as a recognized force for turtle conservation.

2010 has truly set a high water mark for the Turtle Survival Alliance. Our commitment to the captive management of rare and endangered species was given a boost with the hiring of Cris Hagen as the TSA's first-ever Director of Animal Management. Cris will be responsible for the strategic development and management oversight of turtle assurance colonies to support our conservation mission.

Herilala Randriamahazo

We have also made great strides for our programs in Madagascar and Myanmar by hiring two individuals to oversee the TSA's programs in those countries. Herilala Randriamahazo, PhD has come on board to manage multiple tortoise conservation initiatives in

Madagascar and Kalyar Platt, PhD will begin work in Myanmar in January. Having someone "on the ground" in each of these countries will increase our effectiveness substantially - especially given that both speak multiple languages and are well-versed in the cultures and politics of the countries in which they will be working.  

Kalyar Platt

Hopefully by now you have had a chance to read the 2010 magazine, the TSA blog or our biweekly newsletters and have seen the latest updates from our other programs in places like India, Bangladesh, China and Belize. While some of the news is encouraging (a new education center in India) and some is disappointing (infertile Yangtze Giant Softshell (Rafetus) eggs once again in China), all of it inspires us to move forward and work every day toward our goal of zero turtle extinctions.

We'd like to take the opportunity to thank our donors who gave $200 or more over the past year (below). These gifts make the TSA's work possible - we truly could not do it without you!

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2011.

2010 Donors

The TSA would like to acknowledge the following donors that gave at the $200 level or above. We would also like to thank those of you who gave smaller gifts - every dollar helps the TSA reach its conservation goals.

Anders Rhodin, Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, BC Johnson Family LP, Beneficia Foundation, Blank Park Zoo, Brett Stearns, Brian Bolton, Bruce Weber, Bryan Zaher, Chuck Landrey, Chuck Schaffer, Clarence Abercrombie, Cleveland Metroparks zoo, ColumbusZoo, Conservation International, Dave Manser, David Shapiro, David Simon, Delta Foundation, Desert Tortoise Council, Detroit Zoo, Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Donald Sean Henderson, Emily Rhine, Ernest Little, Frank Slavens, Gregory George, Guundie Kuchling, Han Qi, Harold and Susanne Wahlquist, Harris Rosen Foundation, HATZH Donation Fund, Herpetofauna Foundation, Hersh Markusfeld, Houston Zoo, Jacksonville Zoo, James & Elizabeth Glassco, James Breheny, Jay Allen, John Gannon, John Iverson, Joseph Johnson, Karen Lombardo, Kate Evans, Knoxville Zoo, Kurt Buhlmann, Linda Gould, Lisa Weiss, Los Angeles Zoo, Michael Ogle, Mohammed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, Nancy Moysiuk, Nanjing International School, Patricia Koval, Peter Reed, Ray Moser, Rebecca Christoffel, Richard Snell, Robert Olsen, Robin de Bled, San Diego Zoo, Scott Davis, Scott Hendrickson, Sedgwick County Zoological Society, Sheena Koeth & Cleveland AAZK, SK Foundation, Stephen Ecrement, Stephen Goldberg, Taipei Forestry Bureau, Tim Gregory, Toronto Zoo, Turtle Conservation Fund, Walde Research & Environmental Consulting, Wildlife Conservation Society, William and Stephanie Turner, William Dennler, Woodland Park Zoo, WWF Canada, Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc., Zoos Victoria