The lush habitat of the Okinawa Forests A stunning wild Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle Aya Narukiyo and partner Dr. Zach Bell in the field Tsutomu Otani in the field with a Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle The Turtle Conservancy recently hosted Dr. Zach Bell, a guest researcher from Okinawa, Japan, at our Conservation Center. Dr. Bell stands as one of the few scholars delving into the population dynamics of Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtles  (Geoemyda japonica) in their native habitat of Okinawa, Japan. After years of navigating the sensitive and guarded culture of turtl ..read more

During the winter months, the Turtle Conservancy’s Conservation Center experiences a tranquil period. Many species enter hibernation, while others seek refuge in our climate-controlled indoor habitats during inclement weather. This lull in activity provides the Turtles Conservancy Staff with the perfect opportunity to embark on various updates and improvements around the center, and they've been hard at work! In one recently completed project, staff redesigned our African species’ enclosures in our Upper Tortoise House. These enclosures cater to species such as the parrot-beaked tortoises (Aca ..read more

On March 6th, Manci, the Assistant Director of Education at the Turtle Conservancy, brought a wave of excitement to the Chadwick School as she visited to enlighten both 3rd and 1st-grade classes about the fascinating life cycle of turtles. The classroom buzzed with curiosity as students eagerly listened and participated in discussions, their eyes wide with wonder at the mysteries of the turtle world. Manci's interactive approach not only brought the subject to life but also allowed the children to see, touch, and inquire about real turtle shells and preserved eggs, fostering a deeper understa ..read more

  The Turtle Conservancy, in collaboration with partners proudly presents "Tortoise Friends," a vibrant and educational coloring book aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of South African tortoises among local children. Presented in the book in three languages - English, Xhosa, and Afrikaans - the book ensures accessibility for students across the diverse linguistic landscape of the Worcester school district. Through captivating illustrations and engaging narratives, "Tortoise Friends" introduces young minds to the fascinating world of endemic tortoise species while instilling cr ..read more

  View Dr. Merz’s full talk here Dr. Stefan Merz and wife Ira Merz meeting one of San Diego Zoo’s friendly Galapagos tortoises. We were delighted to welcome Dr. Stefan Merz from Germany, who holds the distinction of being the sole individual in Europe with a breeding group of Aldabra tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea). Dr. Merz has amassed invaluable expertise in the physiology, behavior, habitat requirements, ecology and reproductive patterns of Aldabra Tortoises through his expeditions to their native island. Back in Germany, Dr. Merz meticulously recreated the natural conditions of Al ..read more

  Anza Middle School (DATA) teachers are greeted by a few of the TC’s Burmese black mountain tortoises as education director, Manci, provides insight on this unique species We are thrilled to announce an exciting partnership between the Turtle Conservancy (TC) and the MERITO Foundation, aimed at fostering environmental education in Ventura County. Last week, the TC and MERITO hosted six middle school teachers from the De Anza Middle School (DATA) at our conservation center. This collaborative effort allowed educators to benefit from professional development opportunities offered by MERIT ..read more

  The Turtle Conservancy is proud to be a part of the Wildlife Confiscations Network in southern California, just launched by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The network is a pilot program of AZA’s Wildlife Trafficking Alliance that provides a coordinated response for the care and wellbeing of wildlife confiscated from illegal trade. Wildlife trafficking has become a pressing global crisis, driving countless species towards extinction through the illegal harvest and trade of live animals, plants, and their products. This illicit trade, estimated t ..read more

  TC director, Dr. James Liu, educates on tortoise health with the help of a radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) assistant On Sunday, October 22nd, 30 veterinary students from Western University of Health and Science embarked on a day dedicated to turtle medicine at the TC. Under the guidance of Dr. Curtis Eng, Director of Clinical Rotations at Western University, visiting veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Ho, and TC director Dr. James Liu, these students had the unique opportunity to interact closely with some of the TC residents. The day was structured around several educational stations ..read more

Our conservation center is at the heart of the small, tightly knit, town of Ojai, CA. Since 1917, Ojai has hosted a yearly Ojai Day featuring local vendors, non profits, and artists. The TC was happy to host yet another booth at Ojai Day where we had the opportunity to engage with the community and inspire care for turtle conservation. Adding a touch of fun, we organized a turtle scavenger hunt, which captivated families and children, offering an enjoyable and educational way to learn about turtles. The positive response from the community was encouraging, and we are eager to channel this mome ..read more

  The Turtle Conservation (TC) witnessed the hatching of two Japanese Black-Breasted Leaf Turtles (Geoemyda japonica). The Japanese Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle, native to the dense forests and marshes of Japan, is renowned for its elusive nature and striking appearance: with its smooth, jet-black plastron and a keeled carapace that bears striking resemblance to a fallen leaf.  Due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade, their populations have been dwindling rapidly, pushing them to the brink of extinction. The successful hatching of the Japanese Black-Breasted Leaf Turtles at the ..read more