Challenges

Over-exploitation, for both local and international markets, has caused many populations to decline to unsustainable levels. Recovery efforts are complicated by the high levels of international pet trade, particularly in some of the rarest species. They are also traded for traditional medicine and as meat. Turtles often fetch a high price, creating economic incentives for hunters and wildlife traffickers. In addition, population declines of turtles are made more severe in many areas by habitat destruction, particularly the loss of wetlands.

Our Goal

WCS is committed to the recovery of turtle species. Our strategies to accomplish this center on two key components: reducing the number of adults lost and increasing the number of juvenile turtles entering into the population annually.

Specific tactics include:

• Advocate at the international policy level to reduce the trading of turtles, including the trade of threatened turtle species as pets.
• Assist local law enforcement, including the training of police and customs officials in monitoring and investigation of illegal wildlife trade.
  local law enforcement, including the training of customs officials and wildlife police on species identification.
• Work with local communities to reduce poaching and ensure both the community and the turtles/tortoises benefit from conservation actions.
• Conduct nest protection and head-starting programs to support an increase in the number of juveniles entering the population. Head-starting is when turtle hatchlings are raised in protected environments during their most vulnerable early months or years before being released into the wild. It improves their chances of survival.
• At our New York facilities, particularly the Bronx Zoo and Central Park Zoo, work to maintain a diverse group of turtles and tortoises that are Critically Endangered.
• Our WCS Health Program goes into the field to test for known pathogens before turtles and tortoises can go from our captive breeding and/or head-starting programs back to the wild.
• The WCS Health Program also provides confiscated turtles and tortoises with veterinary care so that animals can be returned to the wild as soon as possible.