TSA Magazine Archives
Download back issues of Turtle Survival, the TSA's annual publication, below. Members receive the full-color magazine each year, as a benefit of their membership in the TSA. To purchase print copies of back issues, visit our STORE!
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About Turtle Survival Alliance
The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) was formed in 2001 as an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) partnership for sustainable captive management of freshwater turtles and tortoises, and initially designated a Task Force of the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. The TSA arose in response to the rampant and unsustainable harvest of Asian turtle populations to supply Chinese markets, a situation known as the Asian Turtle Crisis.
Since forming, the TSA has become recognized as a global force for turtle conservation, capable of taking swift and decisive action on behalf of critically endangered turtles and tortoises. Although the TSA was organized in response to the Asian Turtle Crisis, the group has been expanded as our understanding of the scope of turtle and tortoise declines has become better understood. The TSA has been particularly involved in recovery efforts where a managed breeding component is part of an overall survival strategy. The TSA employs a comprehensive strategy for evaluating the most critically endangered chelonians that identifies whether a species is prioritized for a captive program or through range country efforts, or a combination of both.
In the past 13 years, TSA secured nonprofit 501(c)(3) status (2005) and has centralized its base operations in South Carolina by opening the Turtle Survival Center (2013). The Turtle Survival Center, which now has AZA certification (2018), is home to a collection of more than 700 turtles and tortoises, representing 30 of the world’s critically endangered species. The TSA has also grown internationally, with significant field projects or programs in Madagascar, Myanmar and India, and additional projects in Belize, Colombia, and throughout Asia.
Today, the TSA is an action-oriented global partnership, focusing on species that are at high risk of extinction, and working in turtle diversity hotspots around the world. Widely recognized as a global catalyst for turtle conservation based on its reputation for swift and decisive action, the TSA has made a bold commitment to zero turtle extinctions in the 21st Century. The TSA is a recognized force for turtle conservation globally. TSA’s conservation actions utilize a three-pronged approach:
1. Restoring populations in the wild where possible;
2. Securing species in captivity through assurance colonies; and
3. Building the capacity to restore, secure and conserve species within their range country.
Spider Tortoise
Tampa Bay
Turtle & Tortoise
Society, Inc.
Flowerback Box Turtle
Monthly Newsletter
May 2020 Issue
Meeting Date: May’s meeting has been cancelled due to the state stay at home lock down.
Misc Notes
Please update your email information with Ralph Till at rascal1843@aol.com. We only use this
information for club business and it helps for club members to stay up to date on any last minutes
changes that may occur. It will also help ensure that you receive your electronic copy of our
monthly newsletter.
If you would like to submit an article or pictures to be published in the next upcoming newsletter,
please email it to Kim at sparty@tampabay.rr.com. Please submit by the end of the month to be
published in the next month’s newsletter.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the officers listed below:
Elected & Appointed Officers
President - Ralph Till
727-515-7443 Rascal1843@aol.com
Vice President – Mark Randall
20smoke@mindspring.com
Treasurer/Membership - Ralph Till
727-515-7443 Rascal1843@aol.com
Secretary/Public Relations - Kim Illum
sparty@tampabay.rr.com
Newsletter Editor – Mark & Kim Illum
sparty@tampabay.rr.com
Facebook Coordinator – Ralph, Mark R & Kim
https://www.facebook.com/groups/704741876316303/
New Website under construction:
http://www.tbtts.org/
RALPH'S RAMBLINGS
Hello Everyone,
Well I wish I had better news to tell you all, but I don't. The Park is still closed completely and when they
do decide to re-open, it'll be only access to the trails. The interpretive center and the classroom are still off
limits for now. Unfortunately this means no monthly meeting, again. Sorry, but we all need to comply with
the rules to beat this virus now. I'm no expert, but it does appear that things are getting slightly better.
Lets hope!
With all of this extra time and togetherness(Yikes!), maybe some of you have improved or updated your
enclosures. I know that I've been doing some updating between "honey do's" and things are looking pretty
good from my perspective. Perhaps a few of our members could share a few pictures of what they have
been doing with their turtle or tortoise enclosures.
I'm permitted to enter the park several times a week to address the turtle tank and the turtle pond. All of
the residents are doing great and with the co-operation of the Birds of Prey folks, everything is being fed
properly. A huge thanks to them.
Not much else to discuss right now. I made a quick trip to Ty Park's new Chelonian Center the other day.
Despite having to keep "social distances" It was a fun trip. When completed, we meaning the Tampa Bay
Turtle & Tortoise Society, are invited to tour this unbelievable facility. That's a few months away, but
something to look forward to.
I hope everyone is well and stays safe.
Enough for now,
Ralph
Rascal1843@aol.com
Upcoming Club Speakers
June 13, 2020 – TBD
July 11, 2020 – TBD
August 8, 2020 – TBD
September 12, 2020 – No speaker, this is our annual auction
October 10, 2020 – TBD
November 14, 2020 – No guest speaker, this is our annual election night (current members only)
December 12, 2020 – No guest speaker, our annual Christmas party (current members only)
NOTE: If you would be interested in doing a talk, pls contact Ralph Till at Rascal1843@aol.com for
additional information.
Upcoming Club Events
***VOLUNTEERS NEEDED***** The Repticon Tampa is approaching us quickly, next month. We
need some volunteers would like to sit at our table and pass out info for the club. Ideally it would be
great to have 2 people each day. The shift would be split this way you’ll have time to walk around
the show before/after. Saturday hours are 9am-5pm, but would need to start at 8:30 to set up
table; Sunday hours are 10am-4pm but would need to stay past to break table down.
If you are interested in volunteering for a certain time/area, pls contact – Ralph Till at
Rascal1843@aol.com or let him know at the next upcoming meeting.
Upcoming reptile shows
Repticon Kissimmee – May 23rd & 24th 2020
Repticon Tampa – June 13th & 14th 2020 – volunteers needed
Repticon Orlando – July 25th & 26th 2020
Repticon Sarasota – August 1st & 2nd 2020
Daytona National Reptile Breeders Expo – August 20th – 23rd 2020
Repticon FIRE show – September 5th & 6th 2020
Repticon Kissimmee – October 24th & 25th 2020
Repticon Tampa – November 14th & 15th 2020 – volunteers needed
Repticon Orlando – December 5th & 6th 2020
Turtles/Tortoises Videos
On the run:
https://www.facebook.com/ABCNews/videos/519912741998579/?v=519912741998579
Sea TurtleFacts:
https://turtletime.org/sea-turtles-fun-facts-amazing-video/
Jurassic Tortoise:
https://www.facebook.com/davidbriones.carangan.3/videos/153317456080934/
Turtles/Tortoises in the News
National Butterfly Center’s tortoise survives fire:
https://www.themonitor.com/2020/03/27/spike-national-butterfly-centers-beloved-tortoise-
survives-fire/
Covid-19 restrictions may boost Leatherback sea turtle nesting:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/covid-19-restrictions-might-boost-leatherback-
sea-turtle-nesting-180974728/
New species of turtle discovered:
https://phys.org/news/2020-04-species-turtle.html
International Turtle & Tortoise Week
It was International Turtle & Tortoise week, April 20th-24th.
In case you didn’t receive the weekly emails, here is the re-cap from it.
Day 1, Success with Leopard Tortoise:
https://mailchi.mp/zoomed/2020-ittw-day1?e=e8ae3b2ec9
Day 2, Success with Spangleri:
https://mailchi.mp/zoomed/2020-ittw-day2?e=e8ae3b2ec9
Day 3, Success with Hingebacks:
https://mailchi.mp/zoomed/2020-ittw-day3?e=e8ae3b2ec9
Day 4, Success with Pancakes:
https://mailchi.mp/zoomed/2020-ittw-day4?e=e8ae3b2ec9
Day 5, Success at Zoo Med:
https://mailchi.mp/zoomed/2020-ittw-day5?e=e8ae3b2ec9
Thank you to member Jay for sending this to me to out in our newsletter.
Kidz Korner
Turtle/Tortoise Tender Tales (rescue stories)
This rescue story is brought to you by Central MS Turtle Rescue:
This big girl was hit by a car and brought into us. She got here soon enough after being injured that
we were able to use our Wound VAC therapy on her injury. The machine creates a vacuum seal and
sucks out debris, secretions, pus, etc. It also helps stimulate blood flow to the wound which aids
tissue granulation and healing. This therapy cuts healing time in half. It even provides healing
where it may not be possible without it. We've lost many turtles with this type of injury, but this
technique is saving them. She's on pain meds and antibiotics for the injury itself. The wound VAC
isn't painful just a mild discomfort because it’s something touching her shell.
Here is a video of the wound VAC in action:
https://www.facebook.com/centralmsturtlerescue/videos/2589508661262646/
Regards,
Christy and Luke Milbourne
Central MS Turtle Rescue
Please visit our website to see more of the rehabs we currently have or if you may need additional information
about re-homing/adopting a future pet, please visit: http://centralmsturtlerescue.weebly.com/
Also like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centralmsturtlerescue
More info can be found: http://www.ttpg.org/conferences.php
More info can be found: https://turtlesurvival.org/2020-symposium/
Classified Section
You may place your animals, items, services that you have for sale in the club’s newsletter. Ads will
run month to month and you must renew it for every month that you would like. Ads are free to up
to date/paid members, or $5.00 per month ($8.00 for 2 months) for non-members.
Adoptions
Looking to re-home out your reptile? Place a free ad for any reptile that you are looking to adopt
out (free ads are for reptiles which does NOT have a re-homing fee).
Advertising Rates
1/8th Page = $8 per issue or $75 per year (savings of $21).
1/4th Page = $11 per issue or $100 per year (savings of $32).
1/2 Page = $16 per issue or $150 per year (savings of $42).
Full Page = $25 per issue or $225 per year (savings of $75).
Pricing includes art/graphics/color, however you send the advertisement will be published in our
electronic newsletter.
Please email over the Classified/Adoptions/Advertisement info by the end of the month to: Kim at
sparty@tampabay.rr.com
All payments for advertisements should be sent directly to:
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
c/o Tampa Bay Turtle & Tortoise Society, Inc.
2750 Park Trail Ln.
Clearwater, FL 33759
Smelt Feed & Pet Supply has gracefully
offered to give us a $15.00 gift certificate
each month for our monthly raffle. Stop by
their store and see what they have:
4116 East 7th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605
www.smeltfeed.com
https://www.facebook.com/SmeltFeed
Other Herp Societies
The Turtle & Tortoise Club of Florida – Orlando Chapter
Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm
Location: Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland, FL 34787
Suncoast Herpetological Society Inc.
website: http://www.kingsnake.com/suncoastherpsociety/SHSHome.htm
meets on the 4th Saturday of the month at 6:00pm.
Location: Moccasin Lake Nature Park 2750 Park Trail Ln. Clearwater, FL 33759
Central Florida Herpetological Society
website: Centralfloridaherpsociety.org
meets on the 4th Sunday of every other month at 2:00 PM but you want to be there between 1:00 -
1:30 PM for parking
Location: Orlando Public Library, Downtown Branch, Anderson Room 3rd Floor, 101 East Central
Blvd Orlando, FL 32801
Calusa Herpetological Society
website: calusaherp.org
meets on the first Thursday at 7:00 PM
Location: In the Iona house at the Calusa Nature Center
Jacksonville Herpetological Society
website: jaxherp.tripod.com
meets first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 PM
Location: Museum of Science and History (MOSH), Museum circle, Jacksonville, FL
Membership and Newsletter subscription form
Annual membership fee: $20.00 per year, and the membership includes:
- Electronic Monthly newsletter sent to your email address
- Free Classified’s in newsletter (members only) as well as low cost
advertisement rates.
- Annual Auction, Christmas Party, and Office Elections
- Monthly Meetings in an indoor classroom setting that consists of the
following:
- Different guest speaker each month
- Raffle Prizes
- Info about upcoming events/reptile shows/field trips/etc..
Date/Time: Meets the 2nd Saturday of every month at 7:00pm
Meeting Address: Moccasin Lake Nature Park 2750 Park Trail Ln.
Clearwater, FL 33759
Complete the form below and bring it with you to the next upcoming meeting
or mail it along with payment to:
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
c/o Tampa Bay Turtle & Tortoise Society, Inc.
2750 Park Trail Ln.
Clearwater, FL 33759
Check one:
_______ New Membership _______ Membership Renewal
Name: _________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zipcode: ___________________________________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________ Phone#: ________________________________
NOTE: We would never sell or trade your information. This information is strictly for club use only.
Answer Key