I recently came across a really interesting study being done by the TSA (Turtle Survival Alliance) & Tangled Bank Conservation, which is seeking to use DNA to map populations of eastern box turtles. The goal of the project is to create a DNA database of known turtle populations so that when confiscated turtles/turtles of unknown… Continue reading DNA Database
Be aware there are images of real patients in this post that may upset sensitive viewers. You're not going to be able to save every animal. That's just the truth. There is no way around it. Sometimes you'll get an animal in that is hurt so badly that it doesn't stand a chance and the… Continue reading Dealing with Death
It may not look like much, but this represents so much progress for this little guy. When I first took in this eastern box turtle patient, back in July, I was pretty sure he wouldn’t survive the week, nevermind recover. He had been hit by a car right on the side of his head. His… Continue reading Fragile Frankie, My Little Fighter
This big guy was rescued from certain death a few days ago after he fell down an open manhole at a golf course. Hopefully the workers there will remember to close it next time as soon as they’re done using it so that animals (or people) don’t fall in and get hurt, or worse. … Continue reading Spelunking Snapper!
Ever hear of a vampire turtle? This little guy is ready for Halloween all year round! If you look closely, you’ll see two fang-like protrusions on his upper beak. They’re not actually fangs, but part of the shape of the beak, which is made of a keratin layer (the same as your fingernails) over the… Continue reading Vampire turtles
And that is partly why there are never enough of us to go around. Without safety and social equity for everyone, how can we expect people to make a commitment to wildlife? These are just my musings on things I have casually noticed in my journey to become a rehabber, completely anecdotal, and not based… Continue reading Wildlife rehabilitation is a middle-aged white woman’s world.
(Or, "What not to do if you find an injured turtle") These stories are true, but names and details have been changed or omitted to protect the hopelessly misguided. See if you can figure out which finder got it right. Finder 1Finder 2Call a licensed rehabber.Call at least three rehabbers, two vet clinics, and a… Continue reading A Tale of Two Finders
It's done! Finito! I am officially a wildlife rehabilitator in the state of Connecticut. I've had the paperwork sitting around since last year when I registered to take the test, which I aced back in March. I got a veterinarian to sign off at least six months ago, and I've just been waiting to accumulate… Continue reading It’s official!
Over the past few weeks I've had the opportunity to go through the intake process completely with my mentor. It'll take a while before I have everything down without second-guessing or asking questions, but I think I have the gist of it. I'm just going to go ahead and tell you not to try this… Continue reading What do you do with an injured turtle?
One more hurdle out of the way on my journey to become a wildlife rehabilitator. You need at least 80 out of 100 to pass, and I got a 96. I'm a little miffed I didn't get a perfect score, but the one I got is good enough for government work, as they say. There… Continue reading Aced my rehabber test!
Turtle Haven 