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Bravo!
After nearly twelve months of using the STAR protocol our total stats are: 12 attempts for 3 successful resuscitations. While this may be superficially disappointing, these are turtles that would otherwise be declared dead, so reviving 3 is good. Unfortunately due to chronic disease/ dehydration / stavation, etc, none of those 3 survived long term, BUT we believe the technique is still very useful and we'd like to begin training all our volunteers in the protocol.
Consequently, I would like your permission to include the 1 page (english language) version of the protocol in our Sea Turtle First Aid Handbook distributed to volunteers. I would insert the protocol as a complete page with all acknowledgements included. If there's an update, etc, I'll happily include that.
In this last year we rescued a total of 80 turtles with 42 released back into the wild. This is a record for us as previously we've seen about 30-35 turtles a year. We think this is because we started a sea turtle monitoring program 'Make Turtles Count' and have got a lot more volunteers in the beach looking for nesting activity. This is picking up more of the moribund beach washed turtles..
Applause!
To crown her sea turtle conservation work in Pulau Banyak, Aceh, Sumatra (Indonesia), Maggie Muurmans received the prestigious Future For Nature
award (former Golden Ark award) from the hands of David Attenborough. FFN aims to reward successful young conservationists. Maggie was selected,
along with two other winners, from a total of 148 applicants from 56countries.
The jury was particularly impressed by her approach which blends solid community development projects (education, ecotourism, conservation concessions, micro-credit systems etc.) with rigorous conservation actions at all levels (political lobbying to raise the protection status of the area to daily patrolling of nesting beaches to stop poaching of leatherback and green turtle eggs). The prize money -50,000 euros- will be reinvested in the program.
For more information on Yayasan Pulau Banyak: www.acehturtleconservation.org
Bravo!
Within the framework of the activities of the Regional Program for Sea Turtle Research and Conservation of Argentina ("Programa Regional de Investigación y Conservación de las Tortugas Marinas de Argentina", PRICTMA), the Fundación Mundo Marino and the Aquarium of the Buenos Aires Zoo released two sea turtles in January, 2009. In the waters of Samborombón Bay and near the seaside city of San Clemente del Tuyú, a juvenile loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) were returned to the sea.
The loggerhead turtle (named "Tuyú"), rescued a month ago by fishermen from the city of San Clemente del Tuyú and rehabilitated in the Fundación Mundo Marino facilities, has been fitted with a satellite tracking device. This technology will allow us to pinpoint its geographical location on a daily basis for the next 18 months. As a result, we will learn more about the courses followed by this kind of sea turtle in Argentine waters and be able to determine its migration routes.
Together with the loggerhead turtle, a juvenile green turtle was also released. This sea turtle was found stranded by islanders from the Paraná river delta in February 2008, and then sent to the aquarium of the Buenos Aires zoo facilities for rehabilitation. Finally, and after recovering from a generalized skin infection that required several months of veterinary care, green turtle "Iris", together with Tuyú, was released back into the sea.
To track the daily journeys of the Huracán, Manu, Junior, and Tuyú turtles, visit the satellite tracking section at www.prictma.com.ar.
Read in Spanish.
Applause!
Adventures of a rehabilitated loggerhead turtle as it heads back to the wild. Tarly the loggerhead turtle is off to sea.
She may not know exactly where she's going, but those monitoring her satellite tag will know where she's been. Tarly has been with Kelly Tarlton's underwater rescue and rehabilitation team for the past 14 months. She was found distressed and exhausted at Baylys Beach near Dargaville in November 2007 by a couple out for a walk. They reported her to Department of Conservation officers and she was taken into care.
At only 47kg, she was seriously underweight, and had large wounds on the back of her head. When released, Tarly weighed 80kg, although loggerheads can grow to 360kg. They feed on molluscs, crustaceans, fish and jellyfish, which they crush with powerful jaws. There are only seven species of sea turtle worldwide. They are generally found in tropical and subtropical waters, although sightings are becoming more frequent in New Zealand. Tarly returned to the wild on January 29, 2009 at Tutukaka in Northland. Watch video of story and release.
Bravo!
The Turtle Trail 2008 raised $43,000.00 last night auctioning the painted turtles in the little town of Port Aransas on Mustang Island in Texas. The benefit raised much need funds for the ARK, Animal Rehabilitation Keep, in Port Aransas Texas.
Artists painted turtles sponsored by local businesses, non-profit groups and individuals. Casa Tortuga sponsored a turtle painted by artist Katie Cooper of Tucson Arizona for the auction. This is the second such auction created by Kris Wimer. Last years Turtle Trail 2007 raised $49,000.00 to benefit the Kemps Ridley nesting program at Padre Island National Seashore. The success of Kris' effort is truly phenomenal, raising $92,000.00 for sea turtles! Wow! If there is a sea turtle benefit hall of fame out there, Kris Wimer has earned her spot!
Learn more about Turtle Trail
For photos and information about ARK, visit http://www.sci.tamucc.edu/~wcrc/ark/ark.html
Success!
Through the sale of batiks (information about the artists coming soon), Casa Tortuga raised $1,000.00 for Proyecto Karumbé to buy a much needed ATV. For more information on Proyecto Karumbé, visit: www.karumbe.org.
Bravo!
The Turtle Trail 2008 raised $43,000.00 last night auctioning the painted turtles in the little town of Port Aransas on Mustang Island in Texas. The benefit raised much need funds for the ARK, Animal Rehabilitation Keep, in Port Aransas Texas.
Artists painted turtles sponsored by local businesses, non-profit groups and individuals. Casa Tortuga sponsored a turtle painted by artist Katie Cooper of Tucson Arizona for the auction. This is the second such auction created by Kris Wimer. Last years Turtle Trail 2007 raised $49,000.00 to benefit the Kemps Ridley nesting program at Padre Island National Seashore. The success of Kris' effort is truly phenomenal, raising $92,000.00 for sea turtles! Wow! If there is a sea turtle benefit hall of fame out there, Kris Wimer has earned her spot!
Learn more about Turtle Trail
For photos and information about ARK, visit http://www.sci.tamucc.edu/~wcrc/ark/ark.html
Applause!
Please check out the link below to a story about T. Todd Jones, who has been named one of Popular Science's Brilliant Ten for 2008! PopSci's annual Brilliant Ten program highlights the best and brightest young scientists among all research fields across the USA. This is a huge honor of which Todd is completely deserving!
http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2008-10/turtle-trainer-0
Congratulations to T. Todd Jones!
Bravo!
Congratulations to PRICTMA for their new website www.prictma.com.ar! Find out how they work, who they are and all activities being carried out in Argentina with regard to the conservation of Sea Turtles.
Bravo!
Congratulations to Maggie Muurmans of the Yayasan Pulau Banyak Marine Turtle Programme for being nominated for The Future for Nature Award 2009. The Award, previously The Golden Ark Award, is a prestigious international award, which celebrates tangible achievements in protecting wild animal and plant species. Maggie Muurmans was included in the group of 148 applicants from 56 countries. The best 12 applicants will be selected to provide further evidence of their performance and their projects. Three winners will be selected from the 12 finalists before the end of the year.
Good luck Maggie!
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