Turtle Conservancy

Vision

The Turtle Conservancy is the most comprehensive turtle and tortoise organization in the world protecting all forms of living chelonians including tortoises, freshwater, and marine turtles. The Turtle Conservancy’s work encompasses three programmatic areas: in-range species and habitat preservation and conservation, captive assurance colonies and breeding programs, and a global awareness and education campaign.

The TC is committed to promoting in situ conservation and field research of threatened and endangered chelonians globally. Its work includes protection of species in their natural habitat, education about conservation, and field-based research. It campaigns for conservation legislation, re-evaluation of species’ status in the wild, and development of comprehensive protection strategies for turtles and tortoises.The TC has supported projects on the ground to protect endangered turtles and tortoises in China, Guyana, India, Mexico, Madagascar, Nicaragua, Pakistan, South Africa, and the United States, and has conducted fieldwork around the world, particularly in Southeast Asia, investigating the turtle and tortoise trade. In South Africa, the TC has partnered with the Cape Province wildlife agency Cape Nature and well-known turtle biologist Dr. Margaretha Hofmeyr on two projects related to the Critically Endangered Geometric Tortoise (Psammobates geometricus).

The Turtle Conservancy's Behler Chelonian Center runs an ex situ breeding program for endangered chelonians. Its captive breeding center currently manages assurance colonies representing over 1/3 of the world’s most Critically Endangered turtle and tortoise taxa. In addition, the Turtle Conservancy is one of the few institutions that have had success breeding a variety of species including the Chaco Tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis), Parrot-beaked Padloper (Homopus areolatus), Speckled Padloper (Homopus signatus), Assam Roofed Turtle (Pangshura sylhetensis), Okinawa Leaf Turtle (Geoemyda japonica), and the Impressed Tortoise (Manouria impressa).

In-Range Species and Habitat Preservation and Conservation

The Turtle Conservancy’s in-country conservation strategies include habitat protection, restoration and stewardship, turtle and tortoise reintroduction and a fieldwork grant program. In South Africa the Turtle Conservancy owns and stewards more than 1,000 acres of land in the last remaining habitat for the critically endangered Geometric Tortoise in South Africa. This land is critical habitat needed to save this beautiful tortoise from extinction. In Mexico the Turtle Conservancy is working to protect 43,000 acres of what is believed to be the last stronghold for the Bolson Tortoise, the largest terrestrial reptile in North America. In Madagascar the Turtle Conservancy collaborates with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in protecting the Ploughshare Tortoise from extinction. The Turtle Conservancy engages in education of communities and animal marking to eliminate the illegal poaching of Ploughshare Tortoises. In addition, the Turtle Conservancy is a leading member of the International Ploughshare or Angonoka Working Group, which sets direction for Ploughshare Conservation worldwide. The Turtle Conservancy also supports field work in Nicaragua, Mexico, Guyana, Pakistan, India, the Philippines, Namibia, Indonesia, China, and Myanmar.

South African Fynbos: Geometric Tortoise Preserve

The diminutive Geometric Tortoise (Psammobates geometricus) is one of the world's most beautiful chelonians with its domed carapace and stunning egg-yolk and black radiating pattern. It is the Fabergé Egg of the tortoise world. Fully grown, it reaches only five to six inches. In South Africa, the Turtle Conservancy, along with its partner organizations, has purchased over 1,000 acres of the last remaining habitat for this critically endangered tortoise, which we are calling the Geometric Tortoise Preserve. We need to preserve this critical habitat to save this beautiful tortoise from extinction.

Mexican Tropical Deciduous Forest: Goode's Thornscrub Tortoise Preserve

The Turtle Conservancy secured approximately 1,000 acres of Tropical Deciduous Forest in southern Sonora, Mexico, for the protection of this newly described species. The property targeted for this land acquisition has been identified for its excellent tortoise habitat, and for its ideal location adjoining a nature reserve, the Reserva Monte Mojino. This project will not only contribute to the survival of a unique tortoise but also the rich biodiversity associated with this ecosystem. This protected area will safeguard the globally endangered Tropical Deciduous Forest ecosystem supporting 36 families of tropical trees, 48 species of orchids, the highest diversity of birds in Sonora, 5 species of wild cats, and 79 species of amphibians and reptiles. The entire area will be owned and managed by Nature and Culture International, the organization that currently manages the Reserva Monte Mojino.

Mexican Desert Grassland: Bolson Tortoise Preserve

The Turtle Conservancy is working to purchase a significant portion of the last remaining habitat of the Bolson Tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus). The largest of the North American terrestrial reptiles, this tortoise has been known to science only since 1959. The Bolson Tortoise inhabits a small area of Bolsón de Mapimí in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico. The Mapimí Biosphere Reserve was created to protect this species, but much of this land is used for agricultural development and cattle grazing, which is threatening the tortoise’s habitat. The acquisition of this land in north central Mexico will protect the tortoise along with all other native flora and fauna including an estimated 28 mammals, over 200 bird species, 5 amphibians, and 39 reptiles.

Madagascar: Ploughshare Tortoise Conservation

In Madagascar the Turtle Conservancy collaborates with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust to protect the Ploughshare Tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) from extinction. The Turtle Conservancy engages in the education of local communities and in animal marking to help reduce or even eliminate the illegal poaching of Ploughshare Tortoises. In addition, the Turtle Conservancy is a leading member of the International Ploughshare Tortoise Working Group, which sets the direction for Ploughshare Tortoise conservation worldwide. The Ploughshare Tortoise today has the dubious distinction of being not only one of the rarest cold blooded animals on earth but the most sought after by unscrupulous collectors, commanding prices ranging from a few thousand dollars for juveniles to tens of thousands for adults. Saving this species is truly a global problem and a two-front war. The immediate goals are to stop poaching and to reclaim animals from illegal collections and place them in accredited captive breeding programs.

Hong Kong: Golden Coin Turtle Conservation

The Turtle Conservancy works with Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden (KFBG), and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of Hong Kong to return Critically Endangered Golden Coin Turtles (Cuora trifasciata) to their ancestral home in southern China. These turtles, as endangered as mainland China’s Giant Pandas, will remain on the protected grounds of KFBG as part of its Endangered Species Conservation Program, until they may be safely released into the wild. Called the Golden Coin Turtle because of its golden head and high monetary value, this turtle is teetering on the brink of extinction due to the wildlife trade and the high value placed on it. Eating the animal in a jelly called guilinggao is falsely believed to promote general well being, but it is also purported to be a cure for everything from acne to cancer. Due to these false beliefs, the Golden Coin Turtle is one of the highest priced turtles in the trade, with prices for a single animal ranging from $10,000 to as high as $25,000. This program is the first repatriation of turtles captive-bred in another country (United States) back to their home country of China. The return of these animals is part of our commitment to completing the circle of captive breeding, returning and eventually releasing these animals in the wild. The releases in the not-so-distant future will provide an important boost for the remaining wild population.

New Jersey Barrier Island: Terrapin Nesting Project

The Turtle Conservancy is a proud partner of the Terrapin Nesting Project on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. The Terrapin Nesting Project is a grassroots organization founded by Kathy Lacey in 2011 with the ongoing support of the Sierra Club. The aim is to restore terrapin populations on Long Beach Island by protecting nests and releasing hatchlings back into the bay. Northern Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin) are native to the East coast of the United States and over the past two centuries have seen their numbers dwindle precipitously. Through the grassroots effort of Lacey and her team of volunteers, terrapin numbers are on the rise. In 2016 alone, over 2,000 hatchling terrapins were released back into the wild.

Major Threats

The addition of bay front property has displaced many of the traditional nesting sites for female terrapins. Additionally, the sandy soil has been replaced with clay and decorative rocks, to prevent erosion. This substrate is unsuitable for turtle eggs, and many nests fail to hatch or drown as a result. Roads are another obstacle the nesting females and subsequent hatchling must traverse in order to safely reach their destinations. During the nesting season, many females are needlessly run over by speeding cars and trucks. The raccoon and American crow have been largely introduced onto Long Beach Island over the past 50 years. Urbanization and development of the island has enabled these city savvy creatures to thrive on pet food, garbage, and hand-outs from local people. Unfortunately, these animals also heavily predate on turtles and their nests. Crows will even wait patiently next to nesting females and eat the eggs immediately after they are laid. Crab traps without the ability for turtles to surface are a death trap for terrapins. The turtles are drawn into the traps due to the smell of bait and the sight of crabs, one of their favorite foods. Turtles can easily drown if caught in one of these wire traps without the ability to breathe or escape. These animals are often taken home as pets by visitors and tourists, without realizing they require special care, such as a large aquarium and brackish water. More devious poachers will take nests and adult animals home to supply the illegal pet trade in the US and overseas.

How We're Helping

The Terrapin Nesting Project operates two hatcheries where turtle eggs are relocated. Eggs must be relocated from roadways, yards, and public areas because often they are laid in artificial substrates or high traffic areas. Imported clay and rock yards can suffocate or even drown eggs during summer rains. Every nest is carefully marked with a GPS coordinate, excavated, and moved to a secure, locked hatchery protected from predators. Once the eggs hatch in about 60 days, the baby turtles are given freshwater to hydrate and then released into the wild within 48 hours. Educating local citizens on the island and tourists is a major role of the Terrapin Nesting Project. We try hard to inform the public on the lifecycle of the Diamondback Terrapin and when to be on the lookout for nesting females or hatching turtles. Terrapins play an integral role as a predator of crustaceans and mollusks, which supports healthy plant and fish life and has helped restore the seagrass that used to dominate the region.

Captive Assurance Colonies and Breeding Programs

In southern California the Turtle Conservancy’s Conservation Breeding Center breeds more Critically Endangered and Endangered turtles and tortoises than any other institution in the world. It manage 15 of the world’s 40 most critically endangered species. The Turtle Conservancy was the first organization ever to send critically endangered captive bred turtles back to their native range country to participate in a reintroduction program when we repatriated Golden Coin Turtles to China in January 2013. The Turtle Conservancy produces more Critically Endangered Burmese Star Tortoises than any other institution outside of Myanmar and is paving the way to send this ecologically extinct species back to their homeland. Over 33 different species are kept at the Turtle Conservancy breeding center where husbandry expertise is both learned and taught to students from all over the world. The Turtle Conservancy breeding center was the first institution to breed a number of endangered species including the enigmatic and endangered Impressed Tortoise and the rarely seen Assam Roofed Turtle.

Behler Chelonian Center

The Behler Chelonian Center is a five-acre, AZA-Certified zoological facility founded in 2005, upon the request of John L. Behler (1943-2006), the international turtle conservationist and then Curator of Herpetology at the Bronx Zoo, to provide a home for Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) established chelonian assurance colony. These original 130 tortoises were personally escorted by Turtle Conservancy (TC) staff across the country from St. Catherine’s Island, Georgia to BCC's new facility in southern California. The group included founder animals of the Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) Species Survival Plan and the first recorded hatchling Spider Tortoises (Pyxis arachnoides) in the US. Most of these animals remain active in the BCC breeding program today.

Conservation & Outreach Center

The conservation breeding program now includes 32 species of turtles and tortoises, 12 of which are on the "Top 40 Most Endangered" list, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Over the past 10 years, the TC has supported researchers, ecologists, conservationists, naturalists, students, and artists. Many of the world's leading authorities on turtles and tortoises have spent time on the campus learning about the husbandry, genetics, and natural history of these incredible animals. Many influential artists and wildlife photographers have also engaged with the collection to help promote chelonian conservation. Similarly, students from all over the world have been funded or sponsored by the Turtle Conservancy to participate in ex situ turtle and tortoise conservation.

Trade Monitoring and Interdiction

The global trade in turtles and tortoises for food, traditional medicine, and pets is the most serious threat to many turtles and tortoises. Unfortunately poaching and the trade can cause extinction even where there is still ample habitat. The Turtle Conservancy works with TRAFFIC, the international wildlife trade monitoring group, and with governments to monitor smugglers and provide care for confiscated animals. Working closely with TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, the TC financially supports one staff member in Southeast Asia who is dedicated solely to monitoring turtles and tortoises in illegal trade routes and markets in SE Asia. TRAFFIC SE Asia has been investigating the trade in tortoises for the past ten years, including the four species originating from Madagascar. However, TRAFFIC’s resources are limited, and therefore monitoring and investigative work has been somewhat ad hoc. At present, TRAFFIC is targeting five hubs in five countries—Bangkok, Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila—specifically to address the illegal trade activities of the four Critically Endangered Malagasy tortoise species, but also to monitor the trade in all threatened tortoises and freshwater turtles

The Poacher

Often a direct consequence of poverty, wildlife poaching is becoming a much more viable profession for many impoverished nations. Poaching rhino horn, ivory, and trophies continues to be rampant in many parts of the world. Similarly, poaching turtles for food, traditional medicine, and as pets is growing at an alarming rate. While many poachers are approached by larger cartels as a means to provide for their families, the media and authorities still place a disproportional amount of blame on the poachers themselves.

The Middleman

The "middlemen" consist of a group of entities that help funnel animals and their products out of their native countries and into the hands of collectors. They can take the form of exporters, shipping brokers, corrupt government officials and police, and smugglers. Unfortunately, poaching animals still does not carry the same punishments as other black market trades, such as firearms and drugs. Shorter prison times and smaller fines enable the middlemen to pursue this trade with little consequence. Government bribes and connections help countless others evade prosecution.

The Demand

The demand for all of these animals stem largely from Asia and the West. However, the identity of these wealthy traders has always been masked in obscurity. China is fast becoming the dominant force in the trade, with a seemingly insatiable thirst for animals to be used in traditional art, medicine, food, and as status symbols. An emergence of wealth and the upperclass in China has enabled many individuals the ability to purchase rare animals, including turtles. Western countries also share in the demand for status, but also play a significant role in the pet trade. Prices for some turtles species can be well North of $10,000 (US) as pets and upwards of $100,000 (US) in China. These overwhelming market forces make it difficult to stop the poachers and middlemen, but exposing the faces behind the demand is one goal of the Turtle Conservancy.

Global Awareness and Education

With the hope of inspiring a global groundswell of conservation action to save the world’s turtles and tortoises, the Turtle Conservancy uses media and education in its ongoing Turtles in Crisis awareness campaign. The Turtle Conservancy shines a spotlight on the global turtle crisis through a comprehensive and ongoing global media campaign. Since its inception, many millions of people have heard the message. Scientific and international media outlets including CBS 60 Minutes, PBS Charlie Rose, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and National Public Radio have profiled the Turtle Conservancy.

2007

Turtle Conservancy began a collaborative effort - along with assistance from the Andrew Sabin Family foundation, Josiah T. Austin, and the Desert Tortoise Council – of acquiring 43,000 acres of land in the state of Durango, Mexico. Located in the Chihuahuan Desert, this land is noted for being prime habitat of Bolson Tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus), as well as other species of plants and animals essential to maintaining the biodiversity of the area. The goal of this project is to preserve the largest intact population of Bolson Tortoise remaining, and would be functioning as a long-term re-introduction plan with the Turner Endangered Species Fund. Founder Eric Goode traveled to Madagascar to meet with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT) to discuss the status of the Critically Endangered Ploughshare Tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora). The following year, the IUCN held a Red List workshop in Madagascar to reclassify the endemic IUCN listed species, at which the Turtle Conservancy attended and assisted in drafting an Action Plan for Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), Flat-tailed Tortoise (Pyxis planicauda), Madagascar Big-headed Turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis), and the Critically Endangered Ploughshare Tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora).

2011

The Turtle Conservancy was awarded a second U.S. Fish and Wildlife matching grant of $25,000. These funds were allocated towards supporting village patrols to identify illegal trade, establishing a field station in Beaboaly, Madagascar, and working with the government of Madagascar in the formation of laws for the protection of the Ploughshare Tortoise.

2013

The TC returned five Critically Endangered Golden Coin Turtles (Cuora trifasciata) hatched at the TC back to their native land in Hong Kong. This historic accomplishment represents the first repatriation of captive-bred turtles from the U.S. to a native country. With the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Thai Professor and Veterinarian Dr. Nantarika Chansue, the TC completed an emergency rescue effort to provide proper care and management for a large confiscation of Critically Endangered Ploughshare Tortoises recovered by authorities in Bangkok.

Turtle Ball

The Turtle Ball is the Turtle Conservancy's annual benefit. The event’s live and silent auctions feature fine artworks from various artists, and the proceeds go to support the Turtle Conservancy’s work to protect turtles and tortoises around the world.