60 Minutes in Madagascar

Eric Goode recently returned from another busy trip to Madagascar – this time traveling with the 60 Minutes - CBS News Team (with correspondent Leslie Stahl). They documented the illegal trade in Madagascar's Critically Endangered turtles and tortoises, field work in the Ploughshare Tortoise's home range, and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust's captive breeding facility in Ampijoroa.

The team also surveyed local tourist markets in both Antananarivo and Mahajanga. They found not only the ubiquitous taxidermy Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Madagascar Big-headed Turtles (Erymnochelys madagascariensis), but they also found live Spider Tortoises (both Pyxis arachnoides brygooi & arachnoides) and Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) offered for sale.

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South Africa's Geometric Tortoise

This past January, a devastating veld (Dutch word for "field") fire destroyed much of the last remaining Geometric Tortoise habitat on the Elandsberg Private Nature Reserve, which held the largest population of Geometric Tortoises. This trip allowed us to gain valuable insight from experts into the conservation needs of this spectacular tortoise and identify how the Turtle Conservancy can help save this species from extinction.

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Behler Chelonian Center Happenings

New Team Members

Please join us in welcoming Hannah Lucas as our new Collection Manager at the Behler Chelonian Center. Hannah comes to us with many years of experience not only in data management, but also in care of turtle research collections and in the field.

In April and May, the BCC is hosting Pratyaporn Wanchai from Thailand. Pratyaporn is studying the genus Manouria in its native habitat, and brings to us a wealth of knowledge about the natural history, diet, and seasonality of both the Impressed Tortoise (Manouria impressa) and the Burmese Black Mountain Tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei).

Ploughshare Tortoise Update

Courting and mating continues in the Ploughshare Tortoises. We are taking great care to prevent the male from injuring the females as he skillfully inserts his epiplastral projection (gular scute) into the regions around the neck and legs and aggressively pushes and hooks (lifts) the females.

Chaco Tortoise Eggs

A clutch of Chaco Tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis) eggs is beginning to show signs of development. Note the red spot inside the egg, indicating early embryonic development (arrow).

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Patagonia Grant

Following the March 2012 visits to BCC by Yvon Chouinard, Rick Ridgeway, and the Environmental Grants team, Patagonia, Inc. has chosen to support our work to protect freshwater turtles and tortoises and their habitats worldwide with a $10,000 general support grant. Patagonia's mission is to "Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis." We are truly inspired by their choice to include the Turtle Conservancy in their quest to achieve that mission, and look forward to building a strong partnership in conserving biodiversity for future generations to experience and enjoy.

Thank you, Patagonia.

Recent Press

The Scientist: "Marked for Life"

Conservationists working in Madagascar are doing the unthinkable — defacing the shells of endangered ploughshare tortoises — but it may be the animals' last hope.

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Tortuga Gazette

The Turtle Conservancy's Behler Chelonian Center a tour with Dr. Paul M. Gibbons, DVM, MS, DABVP, Managing Director, BCC.

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They Travel & Draw

Help Nate Save the Turtles: Nate Padavick was inspired to create this map after reading an article in The New Yorker magazine about the efforts made by Eric Goode and the Turtle Conservancy to save the critically endangered Ploughshare Tortoise from extinction. You can purchase this beautiful map by clicking on the image below. All proceeds go to the Turtle Conservancy.