Anders Rhodin

Chair IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group

Director, Chelonian Research Foundation

Welcome to the 5th Annual Turtle and Tortoise Symposium, which continues to grow and prosper thanks to the tireless and dedicated efforts of all the organizers and participants. A huge thanks to the Turtle Survival Alliance for making this happen and for taking the lead on organizational details. A second huge thanks to the individuals most responsible for leading the charge—Rick Hudson and Dwight Lawson, Chuck Schaffer, Lonnie McCaskill, Julia Knox, and Heather Lowe. A third huge thanks to all the other supporters and financial backers who have helped make this a reality. And lastly and perhaps most importantly, a big thank you to all who have made the important effort to be here and to present your papers and posters, with many of you coming from very far away. Without your increasing involvement and welcome participation we would have very little to show for our efforts in organizing this Symposium. Thank you for coming and helping us to grow this increasingly important international chelonian conservation community, and this, its major annual forum.
All of us strive to make a positive difference in the world of chelonian conservation—each of us plays some role in the overall effort to help preserve chelonians either here at home or abroad. As I listen to the presentations at this Symposium each year, I am struck by the astounding dedication and passionate focus and professional approach of a remarkably diverse group of individuals and organizations engaged in the battle of trying to save turtles from extinction. From the dedicated amateur herpetoculturist to the highest-level zoo, academic, or conservation specialist, all are equally important in the ground-swell of support and advocacy for improved care, knowledge, and conservation of turtles everywhere. You are an army of dedicated individuals, and as your army grows you will grow in influence and strength and increasingly make a positive difference in the chelonian conservation world at large. I celebrate and salute your passion, your drive, and your unceasing quest to make the world a better place for turtles….may we all succeed in these efforts.

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