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.
Beals 4 Eyed Turtle
Tampa Bay
Turtle & Tortoise
Society, Inc.
Leatherback Sea Turtle
Monthly Newsletter
October 2020 Issue
Meeting Date: October 10, 2020 Meeting time 7pm. This will be a Zoom meeting. Ralph will send
everyone the sign-in and password as the time draws near and is for current members only at this
time.
Guest Speaker: Amanda Ebenhack with Central Florida Wildlife Center/Turtle Rescue USA on the
day in a life of a rehabber. How she got started with rehabbing and how it’s not so glorious that
everyone thinks it is.
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,
First I would like to say that I hope everyone is doing ok with all of this covid-19 stuff that we have to deal
with. Let's all hope that it gets resolved sooner than later. With that being said, it will force us to make
some decisions on scheduled club events, such as our annual Christmas party. Stay tuned.
As most are aware, virtual communication is the new normal in the world today. We've been successful in
creating a monthly meeting via Zoom, and I see no end in sight. As we grow, I'll be looking for more input
from you, the members, as to content.
Some news regarding our club, we now can accept Paypal. You can pay your yearly dues ($20.00) or
anything else. The Paypal address is, president@tbtts.org. This will help with our auction, dues or any
other financial transactions. As a 501c3 this will also allow donations to be accepted easier.
I've mentioned before that the City of Clearwater has been very generous lately with updates to the turtle
pond. First they installed a huge sun shade over the pond itself and most recently funded a new pump
system. A special thanks to Dennis Beeker for assisting me in installing the new pump. Fortunately
Dennis has experience with irrigation systems so it made the job a lot easier. It works fantastic and has
increased the volume of water moving 10 fold. Next we wanted to upgrade the filter and are open to
suggestions.
Last month we enjoyed a great presentation on our Zoom meeting from Jordan Donini on box turtles in
Florida. Jordan is always an engaging speaker and fast becoming a good friend of the TBTTS.
This month our guest on Zoom is Amanda Ebenhack, arguably one of the premier turtle/tortoise
rehabbers in the country. You will not want to miss this. I will post everything on our facebook in a couple
of days.
Looking forward to seeing you'll on Saturday, October 10th at 7:00 on Zoom.
Thanks,
Ralph
Rascal1843@aol.com
Re-Cap from last month’s meeting
Last month’s guest speaker was : Jordan Donini on his work with Florida Box Turtles. Jordan
talked about the variation in patterns, their travel range, use of gopher tort burrows.
Upcoming Club Speakers
November 14, 2020 – No guest speaker, this is our annual election night (current members only)
December 12, 2020 – This is usually our annual Christmas party (current members only) but due to COVID
may be postponed.
January 9, 2021 – TBD
February 13, 2021 – TBD
March 13, 2021 – TBD
April 10, 2021 – TBD
May 8, 2021 – TBD
June 12, 2021 – TBD
July 10, 2021 – TBD
August 14, 2021 – TBD
September 11, 2021 – No speaker, this is our annual auction - pending
October 9, 2021 – TBD
November 13, 2021 – No guest speaker, this is our annual election night (current members only)
December 11, 2021 – 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
Upcoming reptile shows
Repticon Tampa – November 14th & 15th 2020
Repticon Orlando – December 5th & 6th 2020
Turtles/Tortoises Videos
Hundreds of sea turtles cross beach for mass nesting in Costa Rica:
https://www.fox13news.com/news/hundreds-of-sea-turtles-cross-beach-for-mass-nesting-in-costa-
rica?fbclid=IwAR0amP3a4nBBbVMdiyNjM_BYkUYuplcLq_gQ1Squ7uM9k8Uf88EDqUMrzRI
Tortoise pushing soccer ball:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1013384909075749
Turtle on the fast track:
https://www.facebook.com/NatureisAmazingInTheKnowbyAOL/videos/337420003975860
Turtles/Tortoises in the News
Two Turtles SEWN Together SAVED in India:
https://www.facebook.com/TurtleSurvival/posts/10157749158186680
A Turtle With a Permanent Smile Was Brought Back From Near Extinction:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/science/burmese-roofed-turtle-myanmar-
extinction.html?fbclid=IwAR0GTg9bB7CsYTUsHdPuuEibMOEBZY_Ir8WFG9chnCTxOA640GfPlMu-
6Tc
Pet tortoises are being eaten ALIVE by hungry restaurant rats:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8777533/Pet-tortoises-eaten-ALIVE-hungry-rats-
deprived-kitchen-scraps-lockdown.html
Kidz Korner
Turtle/Tortoise Tender Tales (rescue stories)
This rescue story is brought to you by Central Florida Wildlife Center:
A female Gopher Tortoise was admission on September 3rd after being struck by a commercial
mower, which are the top 2 pictures. The bottom 3 pictures are the same tortoise as of 9/28/20,
following wound care, pain management and antibiotic therapy. She is not quite ready for release,
but is well on the way.
Pls be aware when doing yard work especially during the rainy season where flooding tends to
happen more and our shelled friends are displaced. In the past we have also received in turtles that
have been hit in the face by weed whackers.
Regards,
Rosina (Amanda has been mentoring her to help take on some of the injuries that come in)
Central Florida Wildlife Center/Turtle Rescue USA
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://www.turtlerescueusa.com
Also like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turtlerescueusa/
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
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