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Oil in the Gulf
Now considered the worst environmental disaster in history, the BP oil spill’s impact on its turtles is just being felt. A massive investigation is now under way to find out what killed hundreds of endangered sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico in the weeks after the oil spill. Watch the New York Times video “What's Killing the Sea Turtles?” See also the Harold Tribune article “Animal Autopsies in Gulf Yield a Mystery.”
What can you do?
The Nature Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation have established volunteer programs that include rescue of sea turtles. For more information, go to the Nature Conservancy’s volunteer page, or the National Wildlife Federation’s volunteer page. |
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Dr. Brian Stacey, a veterinarian at the University of Florida, conducts autopsy on a Kemp's ridley sea turtle as part of a federal investigation to determine what has killed over 440 of these endangered animals since late April. |
 Victory for California’s Native Amphibians—& Turtles!
Thanks in large part to the efforts of Dr. Kerry Kriger from Save the Frogs, the California Fish & Game Commission recently voted 3-2 to maintain the new ban on the importation of non-native frogs and turtles into California for use as food. More than half the comments the Commission received came from supporters of the Save the Frogs campaign—and no doubt from turtle folks as well—generating 1,196 letters of support to maintain the ban. Read more about Save the Frogs’ efforts.
36th Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show, June 12, 2010
Best In Show
Brian Blecher, pictured right with daughter, Alexandra, displays Best In Show trophy for their breeding group of flat-shelled spider tortoises (Pyxis planicauda), awarded by Show Judge Bill McCord for a species especially difficult to keep and breed. Photo by Anita Salzberg
First Runner-Up (Blue-Ribbon)
Awarded to Bob Seaver for his breeding group of yellow-margined box turtles (Cuora flavomarginata).
Second Runner-Up (Blue-Ribbon)
Awarded to Frank Schneider for his breeding group of Central Asian tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii).
Winners’ List and Photos Now Online!
NYTTS Discussion Forum
NYTTS is pleased to announce the new NYTTS Discussion Forum, which has been created by member Michael Li, who will also serve as Moderator for the Forum. The Forum will provide a place for NYTTS members to connect with other members regarding turtle and tortoise questions, to offer advice, and to share their photos and experiences from Society events.
Michael Li is well-known to those who have attended the Annual Show for his beautiful group of Sri-Lankan star tortoises—they’ve been a hit at the Show for the past several years. Michael joined NYTTS in 2006 while studying computer science at Columbia University. He graduated in 2009 and now works as a programmer and support engineer in New York City. Michael is particulary interested in Burmese and Sri Lankan star tortoises, and is currently concentrating on the captive propagation of the Sri Lankan variety. Read more about his star tortoise collection on the Forum (by “Gunmetal” a.k.a. Michael Li).
We hope you will all register and participate. Please upload your Show photos ASAP; we are all anxious to see them! Go to the NYTTS Discussion Forum.
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Reptile Blog by Frank Indiviglio:
Frank Indiviglio, former Staten Island Zoo and Bronx Zoo keeper, and long-time friend of NYTTS, writes numersous articles for That Pet Place, especially for That Reptile Blog as well as others. More than 130 articles have been posted to date, covering pet care, natural history, Frank’s own experiences, and breaking research news. Frank writes all the articles for the Reptile Blog and for the Avian Blog, as well as many for the Fish Blog. Turtle folks may go directly to Frank’s collection of Turtle and Tortoise articles. Readers can leave comments, ask questions, and share observations. See also Frank’s biography of experiences.
Pictured right: Frank Indiviglio demonstrates proper way to handle an alligator snapping turtle. Safety first! See (Handling Snapping Turtles, Chelydra serpentina, and Other Large Turtles)
Read These New Posts on Frank’s Blog:
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