Turtle Survival Alliance

08/17/2026

On August 1, at our Turtle Survival Center, this little Beale’s Eyed Turtle emerged from its shell.

For a species facing an uncertain future, every new hatchling is a reason for hope and a reminder of why conservation work matters. August is National Make-A-Will Month, and today is National Nonprofit Day. In this month that celebrates both the work of nonprofits and the importance of planning your legacy, this hatchling is a fitting reminder that what we do now can shape what comes next.

Every hatchling represents hope for a species’ future. Every supporter helps make conservation possible today. And every planned gift can help ensure that turtle conservation continues for generations to come.

At Turtle Survival Alliance, we work around the world to protect and restore wild populations of turtles through science-based conservation, global leadership, and local stewardship. From species recovery and habitat protection to conservation genetics and the care of critically endangered turtles and tortoises, this work is helping build a stronger future for turtles.

This National Nonprofit Day, we’re celebrating the people who make that work possible. And during National Make-A-Will Month, we’re inviting you to consider how you can make conservation part of your lasting legacy.

Because the future of turtles is shaped by what we choose to protect today.

Maybe this August is your sign. 💚

If you’re inspired to help protect turtles today or leave a lasting legacy for their future, reach out to us at [email protected].

Pictured:
Beale’s Eyed Turtle (Sacalia bealei)
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered

📸: Carly Sprott

08/13/2026

Did you know that the Rote Island Snake-necked Turtle emerges from its egg sporting bright orange splotches?🟠🐢

This eye-catching pattern on its underside, or plastron, is only temporary! As these turtles grow and mature, those vibrant orange spots gradually begin to fade, eventually disappearing altogether. By adulthood, their once-bright markings have transformed into a softer, more uniform coloration ranging from light to dark gray. Turtles live long lives and often begin their journey looking completely different from how they appear years or decades later.

At our Turtle Survival Center in Cross, South Carolina, USA, this critically endangered species is part of our conservation breeding program. Here, more than 850 turtles and tortoises representing 25+ of the world’s most threatened species receive specialized care and expert husbandry, giving these animals a safe place to thrive while helping build a future where they can return to, and flourish in, the wild. 🌎🐢

Every hatchling represents hope for the future of its species. Through conservation breeding, scientific research, and partnerships around the world, we’re working to ensure that turtles like this Rote Island Snake-necked Turtle hatchling, and others of its species, have a future.

Orange you interested in learning more about this fascinating species? Explore more about the Rote Island Snake-necked Turtle through our Species Finder, linked in our bio! 🔍🐢

🎥: Elena Duran

08/12/2026

At the 24th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, the Behler/Pritchard Turtle Conservation Award Committee (BPAC) awarded the 21st annual Behler Turtle Conservation Award to Sabine Schoppe, co-founder and director of the Katala Foundation in the Philippines. Unable to travel to Mexico at this time, her award was accepted by her longtime conservation associate in Palawan, Diverlie Dela Cruz Acosta.

In addition to the Behler Turtle Conservation Award, four Pritchard Turtle Conservation Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Oscar Flores-Villela of Mexico, Sue Carstairs of Canada, Jim Harding of the United States, and Frank Slavens of the United States.

Posthumous Turtle Conservation Appreciation Awards honored Jim Buskirk and Dawn Wilson of the United States.

Read the details of the winners’ significant contributions to the turtle conservation field in our latest blog: https://turtlesurvival.org/2026-behler-and-pritchard-turtle-conservation-awards/

Photos by Ricardo Acosta

08/12/2026

At the 24th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, held in Guadalajara, Mexico, and hosted by Turtle Survival Alliance, the IUCN / SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, and ZOOLOGICO GUADALAJARA, Turtle Survival Alliance presented the 2026 Student Awards for Best Papers and Posters, recognizing student excellence in scholarship and presentation.

Congratulations to the awardees:

Winner – Best Paper: Kai Scarangella
Runner-up – Best Paper: Elizabeth Hays
Runner-up – Best Paper: Shelby Truckenbrod
Winner – Best Poster: Brandon Mawhinney

Thank you to all the students who gave their oral and poster presentations. We value your contributions and look forward to hosting you again at our next Annual Symposium.

Read the blog for details on the winners:
https://turtlesurvival.org/2026-student-awards-for-best-papers-and-posters/

Photos by Ricardo Acosta

08/06/2026

Long-term turtle conservation starts with local communities. 🤝💚

In the Calakmul region of Campeche, we’re proud to partner with local conservation organization Estudiantes Conservando la Naturaleza, A.C. and Recent PhD graduate Carlos Mauricio Delgado Martínez to support vital, community-driven conservation work.

Carlos’s research focuses on determining population sizes for seven understudied local turtle species and developing a community-supported plan to reduce turtle road mortality, a growing threat even within protected natural areas.

Because turtles mature slowly and not many hatchlings make it to adulthood, even a few breeding adults killed by vehicles can affect wild populations for years to come.

To raise awareness, Carlos created a short comic book that brings these challenges to life and highlights simple actions people can take to protect turtles. Featuring two species especially vulnerable to road mortality–the Furrowed Wood Turtle and the Yucatan Box Turtle–the comic connects science with storytelling in a way that resonates with local communities.

The comic has now been distributed to schools across the region, encouraging safer driving, inspiring young conservationists, and fostering a culture of stewardship that extends beyond the classroom. You can also view it for free in both English and Spanish on our website ➡️ https://turtlesurvival.org/comics-for-conservation/.

This is one of many projects we’re supporting in Mexico, and our work extends beyond the region, and into Central America. This week, we’re hosting our annual symposium in Guadalajara, Mexico. This gathering offers an opportunity for researchers, biologists, and conservationists in the region to present the research, collaborate with their peers, and share their work on a global scale.

International collaboration is how we ensure Zero Turtle Extinctions® in the 21st century.

Image 1: Yucatan box turtle (Terrapene yucatana)

08/05/2026

Forget Dracula…this creature of the night wears a shell! 🧛🐢

Lurking in the ponds, swamps, and lakes of Belize, Mexico, and northern Guatemala is the Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle (Claudius angustatus)—also known in some places as the Vampire Musk Turtle. With its sharp, fang-like cusps along its beak, this nocturnal hunter certainly looks the part!

Fortunately for us, this vampire isn’t after your blood. Instead, it uses those impressive cusps to crush insects, fish, worms, mollusks, and even the occasional carrion. It’s a fearsome predator…but only if you’re small enough to fit on the menu.

Despite its intimidating appearance, this turtle faces very real threats. Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, the Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle is increasingly impacted by habitat destruction and degradation, as well as collection for the pet and food trades.

Thankfully, conservation heroes are helping keep this remarkable species from fading into the darkness.

We’re proud to partner with the Belize Foundation for Research & Environmental Education (BFREE), whose team monitors populations of the Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle and other native chelonians while inspiring local communities to protect Belize’s incredible freshwater ecosystems. We also work in Mexico with biology students and local communities to gather essential biological and ecological data, assess conservation status, and build community-led monitoring programs for multiple species, including the Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle.

The countdown to spooky season has begun! Join us and BFREE in October to celebrate Hicatee Awareness Month where we champion Belizean turtle species like the Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle. Until then, follow along as we share more extraordinary turtle and tortoise species from around the world!

Pictured:
Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle (Claudius angustatus)
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened

📸: (1,4) Carlos Delgado Martinez, (2) Luke Pearson, (3) Jay Ballard

08/04/2026

We're so glad you could join us!

Presentes en el 24to Simposio Anual de Conservación y Biología de Tortugas Terrestres y de Agua Dulce organizado por la Turtle Survival Alliance .

Este año el simposio se llevará a cabo en Guadalajara, México, la primera ocasión fuera de Estados Unidos, lo que representa una gran oportunidad para que los estudiantes que han sido becarios de la organización presenten algunos de los resultados que hemos obtenido los últimos años.

¡Estamos muy emocionados por esta oportunidad de compartir nuestro trabajo y conocer otros tantos proyectos interesantes, deséenos suerte! 🙌🏽