A Forsten’s tortoise, Indotestudo forsteni, hatched on April 2, 2008, and four eggs from other clutches are still incubating. The Zoo’s group of 4.2 was assembled in late 2005 for inclusion in the conservation based collection at the Animal Outreach and Conservation Center (ARCC) that opened March 2006.

The Zoo also reports the hatching of 13 Roti Island snakenecks, Chelodina mccordi, with another 30 eggs still incubating. This species is also included in the ARCC collection.

History is being made today folks and TSA is leading the way. The last know female Yangtze giant softshell, Rafetus swinhoei, is on her way to join the last captive male in China at the Suzhou Zoo. The team left Changsha this morning about 2 AM CST, a 3 van caravan (including a PBS Nature film crew) starting the 1100 km trip. The team is led by Dr. Geradl Kuchling and includes Paul Calle, DVM (WCS), Scott Davis (TSA) and Mitch Kalmanson (Lester Kalmanson Agency) who is in chagre of insurance and transportation logistics. Vets from Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden and Ocean Park Hong Kong are also along. On Saturday Gerald inspected the modified breeding pond at Suzhou and recommended some last minute changes, then he returned to Changsha and performed a reproductiove ultrasound exam on the female. The good news is that she has not yet ovulated and has 11 pre ovulatory follicles and good fat deposits. So we appear to be moving her at the right time.

Planning this historic move has been a collaboration between the TSA and WCS through their office in Beijing. We have a $25,000 budget with most of those funds having been secured, and the rest are guaranteed. Championing this effort has been Walter Sedgwick, TSA donor and WCS Trustee; we also have received funding from the TCF ($10,000), Batchelor Foundation ($5K), matched by Walter Sedgwick, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, and Kadoorie Farm and Bot Garden.

Just wanted to give you a heads up. We are holding the press release till she safely arrives at Suzhou. Gerald will stay there to monitor the introduction to the male.

Updated: May 2, 2008

With only four specimens of Rafetus swinhoei known to exist worldwide (2 in China and 2 in Vietnam), and only one of these a female, the stakes could not be much higher. An historic effort is now underway in China to move the lone female living at the Changsha Zoo to be paired with a captive male at the Suzhou Zoo for breeding.

A collaborative effort between the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the team arrived in China May 1 to begin the process. Led by Dr. Gerald Kuchling (Universithy of Western Australia), the world’s leading chelonian reproductive physiologist, the team consists of Paul Calle, DVM (Bronx Zoo), Scott Davis (manager of the largest collection of giant softshell turtles outside of Asia), Nimal Fernando (Ocean Park Hong Kong veterinarian), Alex Grioni (Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden veterinarian), and Mitch Kalmanson who was contracted by the TSA to insure the female during transport and to handle transportation logistics.

A PBS Nature film crew will be on hand to document this incredible event for an upcoming special on efforts to breed critically endangered species in captivity. Chinese media attention promises to be intense as well.

The plan is for Dr. Kuchling and Lu Shunquing (WCS China) to inspect the recently modified breeding facilities at Suzhou Zoo; then, if approved, the female will undergo an ultrasound exam to determine her reproductive status.

A 2007 exam indicated that she would likely ovulate in mid May so the plan is to have her with the male before then. The female will tentatively be driven to Suzhou, a 620 mile trip, on Monday, May 5. The breeding pond at Suzhou Zoo has been fenced down the middle to allow the pair to see and smell each other and gauge their reaction before the introduction occurs. If mating is successful, the male will be removed and the female left alone to nest.

“I hate to call this a desperation move, but it really is,” Rick Hudson, Co-Chair of the TSA said. “The risks are certainly there, but doing nothing is much riskier.”

The TSA is growing accustomed to high pressure situations - such is the case when working with critically endangered species - but nothing of this magnitude. The planning that has been involved to get us to this point has been intensive and has produced a remarkable partnership based on the strenghts of both the TSA global network and WCS China.

This move has required major financial support - at least $25,000 which could go higher - and the following organizations are recognized for their contributions: Turtle Conservation Fund, Batchelor Foundation, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation and Walter Sedgwick.

Should this move go through as planned look for a media storm to follow. And keep your fingers crossed that this goes well. We may not get a second chance.

The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) and the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG) are pleased to announce the dates of their joint Symposium, Wednesday - Saturday September 17 - 20, 2008 in Tucson, Arizona. This is the 6th annual conference hosted by the TSA, and has become the largest gathering of non-marine turtle biologists and captive breeding specialists in the world.

Tucson is in the Sonoran Desert, an absolutely stunning location with rich cactus forest, rolling hills and awe-inspiring mountains. It is home of the giant saguaro cactus, an iconic symbolic of the American West. This time of year rewards travelers with dry days in the 70s and 80s and nights in the 40s or 50s. The summer rainfall is just finishing, and the desert should be particularly beautiful. The Sonoran Desert harbors 60 mammal species, 350 bird species, 20 amphibian species, 100+ reptile species, 30 native fish species, and more than 2000 native plant species. Hiking, bird watching, museums, and great dining are all within easy access of Tucson. The city is bordered north and south by Saguaro National Park.

Conference planning is still underway, but rest assured that we are working hard to keep costs down while improving the quality of your conference. Based on the recent survey results, this year’s conference will feature hands-on demonstrations and workshops, concurrent sessions including a full day captive husbandry symposium, and more time for socializing. Post workshop field trips are also being planned.

Once again, we are grateful for the generous support of our conference title sponsor, ZooMed. This promises to be a major international conference, with over 70 presentations , another exciting and memorable icebreaker (Wed evening, 17 Sept), Mexican dinner with Live Auction (Friday, 19 Sept) and the Banquet and Award Presentation (Saturday, 20 Sept). For the third year the TSA and TFTSG will present the Behler Turtle Conservation Award, and Chelonian Research Foundation will sponsor the annual award for best student papers and posters.

• The British Chelonia Group has launched a funding campaign for $10,000 for the TSA, and the appeal is in their latest newsletter. This is for new facilities in both Myanmar (Manouria emys and Heosemys depressa) and India (expansion of headstarting facilities for Batagur kachuga).
• Brian Horne and Shailendra Singh submitted a proposal to Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund for $17,900 for an education facility and community awareness program at Garhaita, one of our turtle conservation centers on the Chambal River. In total, two proposals were submitted under the TSA banner this year (submissions are by invitation only and are limited to two), the other was written by Tim McCormack in Vietnam for Mauremys annamensis.

• Brian and Shai have also submitted a proposal to the Turtle Conservation Fund for $7,500 to expand B. kachuga headstarting facilities at our second location, the Deori Croc Center at Morena, using green technology to power filtration and replace the current dump and fill process (a good idea for the future in India, where water conservation is crucial). In addition, Shai has also submitted a Asian seed grant to the Cleveland Zoo to get some much needed Chitra indica work done; surveys, village awareness and headstarting operations are all called for.
• Rafetus in China: the TSA has taken the lead on fund raising for the planned movement of the lone female turtle at the Changsha Zoo to the lone male at Suzhou Zoo; this will require facility modifications, transport costs, funding for Gerald Kuchling to oversee the project, insurance to cover the female during transport and introduction, etc. In total, the estimated budget is $25, 000. We currently have $5,000 in Batchelor Foundation funds (being matched by Walter Sedgwick) were just awarded $10,000 from TCF with Shellshock funds, and have just submitted a grant to Ocean Park in Hong Kong for the balance. In addition, Kadoorie Farm in Hong Kong just awarded us $3,200, so we are set for the April transfer and introduction of this last known pair of Rafetus in China. The pressure is on!! Many thanks to everyone who has made this incredibly important project possible.
• We have submitted a pre-proposal to the Beneficia Foundation for $25,000 for our India program and will know soon if they will invite a full proposal. Brian Horne and Rick Hudson met with one of the family Board members in NY late in 2007 and came away with the sense that they enjoyed being a part of the TSA’s work in India wanted to expand their commitment. This foundation gave $10,000 in 2007.
• Roy Young of Colorado-based Nature’s Own made two donations, totalling $30,000, to be split between India and Madagascar. This is the same company that has donated large numbers of Pakistani carved tortoise sculptures that, unfortunately, are available for purchase on the TSA website. For more information, or to purchase a carving, click here.
• The hand made Pyxis sculptures by Kristina Lucas Francis of Knoxville have sold out completely, the last ones sold at the Madagascar workshop; we generated close to $4,000 to help fund work in Madagascar. Many thanks to Kristina and to all of you who made this fundraiser so successful.
]]> http://www.turtlesurvival.org/grants/recent-funding-activity/feed/ http://www.turtlesurvival.org/grants/fund-raising-for-rafetus-in-china/ http://www.turtlesurvival.org/grants/fund-raising-for-rafetus-in-china/#comments Sat, 19 Apr 2008 02:27:14 +0000 admin http://www.turtlesurvival.org/news/partners/fund-raising-for-rafetus-in-china/ The TSA has taken the lead on fund raising for the planned movement of the lone female turtle at the Changsha Zoo to the lone male at Suzhou Zoo; this will require facility modifications, transport costs, funding for Gerald Kuchling to oversee the project, insurance to cover the female during transport and introduction, etc. In total, the estimated budget is $25, 000.

We currently have $5,000 in Batchelor Foundation funds (being matched by Walter Sedgwick) were just awarded $10,000 from TCF with Shellshock funds, and have just submitted a grant to Ocean Park in Hong Kong for the balance. In addition, Kadoorie Farm in Hong Kong just awarded us $3,200, so we are set for the April transfer and introduction of this last known pair of Rafetus in China. The pressure is on!! Many thanks to everyone who has made this incredibly important project possible.

]]> http://www.turtlesurvival.org/grants/fund-raising-for-rafetus-in-china/feed/ http://www.turtlesurvival.org/news/partners/call-for-papers-tsa2007/ http://www.turtlesurvival.org/news/partners/call-for-papers-tsa2007/#comments Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:30:31 +0000 admin http://www.turtlesurvival.org/events/tsa-annual-conference/call-for-papers-tsa2007/ Call for Papers

The following symposia will be featured and others will be added later:

• Veterinary topics: Sam Rivera and Greg Fleming, chairs.
• Field Conservation Programs: Rick Hudson, chair.
• Reintroduction and Recovery Programs: Rick Hudson, chair
• Husbandry: Paul van der Schouw, Cord Offerman, Dwight Lawson, and Cris Hagen, chairs.
• TCF-funded projects: Anders Rhodin and Hugh Quinn, chairs
• Turtle Conservation and Research in the Southwest: Brian Horne, chair.

Those interested in speaking or presenting a poster should contact Conference Program Chairman Don Boyer or one of the session chairs listed above.

The deadline to submit proposals for presentations is June 30th 2008.

Please include:

1. title,
2. authors (indicate presenting author) with addresses,
3. a brief abstract (not to exceed 250 words),
4. preference for Oral or Poster presentation, and
5. indicate if you are a Student (or within one year of finishing your studies).

Student presentations are only eligible for awards if the student is sole or senior author. Submit to the Program Chair, Don Boyer.

Presenters will be notified of the status of their proposed presentation by July 30th 2008. Extended abstracts will be requested for publication in the conference proceedings later in the year. Presentations will be 15 minutes in length including introduction and questions. Microsoft PowerPoint is preferred, but presenters with slides will be accommodated.

This year’s poster session will be coordinated by Beth Walton. Those interested in presenting a poster should contact her for details.

Vendor booths are available for $250 and those interested in vendor space, or in sponsoring a particular event or speaker, should contact Conference Chairman, (Lonnie McCaskill) for more information.

]]> http://www.turtlesurvival.org/news/partners/call-for-papers-tsa2007/feed/ http://www.turtlesurvival.org/news/partners/new-website-proceeds-to-beta-test-phase/ http://www.turtlesurvival.org/news/partners/new-website-proceeds-to-beta-test-phase/#comments Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:44:57 +0000 admin http://www.turtlesurvival.org/news/partners/new-website-proceeds-to-beta-test-phase/ Beta Test Period will be from Friday, April 18, 2008 through Saturday, April 26, 2008. Our goal is to go live Thursday, May 1, 2008.

We thank all those who volunteered to help out and test the new site. We want them to not only click through the site for the usual things like broken links, and missing information. We also want them to give us feedback on how we can improve the site to benefit all of our members. Our website is a valuable tool and we want this tool to be helpful, disseminate information, improve internal membership communications and of course, be fun to visit.

There are many new areas that we have added. Members may now logon to their membership page directly from the HOME page. Logging in also allows them access to our new FORUM. Under the EVENTS menu tab, we have a monthly calendar showing upcoming events within the turtle community. (New events can be added through the FORUM only).

Our RESOURCES section is our main documentation (article postings, pdf downloads) and image collection center. Please feel free to send in additional information or images that you wish to share to our members and the public.

]]> http://www.turtlesurvival.org/news/partners/new-website-proceeds-to-beta-test-phase/feed/ http://www.turtlesurvival.org/news/field/turtle-sculptures-plus-funding/ http://www.turtlesurvival.org/news/field/turtle-sculptures-plus-funding/#comments Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:37:04 +0000 admin http://www.turtlesurvival.org/grants/turtle-sculptures-plus-funding/ Here is your chance to buy that special turtle person in your life something special. These beautiful tortoises and turtles are hand carved in Pakistan and now available for shipping in time for Christmas. Select from four available sizes and styles: Small, medium and large tortoises, and a double basking turtle. Exquisitely carved from onyx (travertine), each sculpture is unique and highly distinctive in pattern and color.

Donated to the TSA by Roy Young and Rosa Venezia of Nature’s Own, proceeds from the sale of these sculptures will go to support our global turtle conservation programs.

These items are also available in bulk to retail outlets and zoo gift shops, and can be shipped free of charge with the understanding that the store will agree to track sales and turn over proceeds to the TSA. If you know of “Nature Stores” that may be interested and willing to enter into a partnership with TSA and Nature’s Own, please contact Rick Hudson via email.



Get more information, or PURCHASE YOUR CARVING TODAY.

]]> http://www.turtlesurvival.org/news/field/turtle-sculptures-plus-funding/feed/ http://www.turtlesurvival.org/grants/nov2007grants/ http://www.turtlesurvival.org/grants/nov2007grants/#comments Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:18:28 +0000 admin http://www.turtlesurvival.org/uncategorized/nov2007grants/


TSA Announces Recent Grants

Author: Rick Hudson

The Turtle Survival Alliance is pleased to announce two recent grants totaling $40,000 to support conservation programs in India ($20,000), Myanmar ($5,000) and Madagascar ($15,000).

The British Chelonia Group, a previous supporter of TSA programs in India and Myanmar, will include $10,000 in their annual fund-raising drive for the TSA. Five thousand will support construction of two new headatarting facilities in India for the critically endangered red-crowned roofed turtle, Kachuga kachuga, that will alleviate crowding and allow turtles to be raised to at least 1000 grams prior to release.

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A second gift from Roy Young and Rosa Venezia from Nature’s Own in Boulder, Colorado will provide $30,000 toward programs in Madagascar and India. The TSA’s India program is growing rapidly and our coordinator there Shailendra Singh continues to present us with exciting and compelling new conservation initiatives that he wants to pursue. We want to encourage this enthusiasm and are constantly seeking new sources of funds to allow this program to grow. India is a big country and our network is expanding along with our capacity to tackle challenging conservation issues. We urgently need to hire another full time biologist to work in India, and the Nature’s Own grant of $15,000 will help that to become a reality soon. We are seeking a match for this grant in order to maximize the impact.

The remaining $15,000 will be directed to Madagascar, a hotspot of chelonian endemism and a country where TSA needs to cultivate a stronger presence. With seven endemic taxa (6 tortoises and 1 freshwater turtle), all ranked either Endangered or Critically Endangered, there is much work that needs to be done. While the threats to some species have been somewhat abated in recent years (curbing commercial collection for the pet trade for example), they are mounting for others. Radiated tortoises are being slaughtered at an alarming rate in the south and increasingly poached ploughshare tortoises turn up illegally in Asian markets.

To develop a strategy to save Madagascar’s chelonians, a workshop will be held there in January 2008 that will evaluate the current threats and recommend conservation and research actions designed to safeguard these species.

This grant will be administered in accordance with the workshop priorities and be used to implement some of the recommended projects that will be fortcoming. These funds match another $15,000 contained in the recent Batchelor Foundation grant and will position the TSA to emerge as a strong supporter of turtle conservation in Madagascar.

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