Excerpt from: December 24, 2010 Turtle Survival Alliance Newsletter

Help the TSA Meet its Match (by 12/31)!
Donations made to TSA India by December 31, 2010 will be matched 50 cents on the dollar by long time TSA supporter Nature's Own (up to $40,000). That means if you donate $100, the TSA will receive $150 - it's that easy! Click here to learn more or make your (tax-deductible) gift.

Happy Holidays from the TSA!


Cris Hagen
With projects in Belize, Brazil, Madagascar, Senegal and throughout Asia, the global impact of the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) has expanded in ways that barely seemed possible when the group was formed in 2001. From that single meeting of a small group of concerned individuals, a conservation organization was born that has been able to "rise to the occasion" time and again as a recognized force for turtle conservation.

2010 has truly set a high water mark for the Turtle Survival Alliance. Our commitment to the captive management of rare and endangered species was given a boost with the hiring of Cris Hagen as the TSA's first-ever Director of Animal Management. Cris will be responsible for the strategic development and management oversight of turtle assurance colonies to support our conservation mission.

Herilala Randriamahazo

We have also made great strides for our programs in Madagascar and Myanmar by hiring two individuals to oversee the TSA's programs in those countries. Herilala Randriamahazo, PhD has come on board to manage multiple tortoise conservation initiatives in
Madagascar and Kalyar Platt, PhD will begin work in Myanmar in January. Having someone "on the ground" in each of these countries will increase our effectiveness substantially - especially given that both speak multiple languages and are well-versed in the cultures and politics of the countries in which they will be working.

Kalyar Platt

Hopefully by now you have had a chance to read the 2010 magazine, the TSA blog or our biweekly newsletters and have seen the latest updates from our other programs in places like India, Bangladesh, China and Belize. While some of the news is encouraging (a new education center in India) and some is disappointing (infertile Yangtze Giant Softshell (Rafetus) eggs once again in China), all of it inspires us to move forward and work every day toward our goal of zero turtle extinctions.

We'd like to take the opportunity to thank our donors who gave $200 or more over the past year (below). These gifts make the TSA's work possible - we truly could not do it without you!

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2011.

An Excert From - "Turtle Survival Alliance Newsletter December 17- 2010"

Belize Mobilizes to Do Something "Transformational" for Hickatee On December 7, 2010, the first ever Hickatee Conservation Forum and Workshop was held at the University of Belize (UB), Belmopan Campus. The event was organized by the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), in collaboration with the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE), the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at UB and the Belize Fisheries Department. The purpose of the workshop was to bring together members of the scientific community, government officials, and Belize's extensive NGO community to share information regarding the Hickatee or Central American river turtle (Dermatemys mawi).

Playing Soccer for Endangered Tortoises TSA Madagascar recently participated in a very special event to raise awareness for the endangered radiated tortoise. A soccer tournament was organized and sponsored in Antananarivo on December 11-12 by Eco-Sys Actions and Salamandra Nature (conservation NGOs) and their partners. The main objective of the event, held at Alarobia Stadium, was to raise public awareness by using soccer - a very popular sport in Madagascar. Flat Tailed Spider Tortoise The Henry Doorly Zoo's Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MBP), Conservation Fusion, Conservation International and the TSA shared a booth at the event to raise awareness of their work in the region.

Spider Tortoise Research Click here for an article recently published in the journal Herpetologica. The work details some of the spatial mapping work that the TSA has supported to enable a better understanding of the current distribution of the critically endangered Madagascar spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides). The results describe the decline of approximately 80% in the spatial distribution of the northern subspecies of Madagascar spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides brygooi). Despite the worrying decline in range, this work has enabled researchers to identify priority areas for conservation efforts for this threatened tortoise. They are currently using project funds to work closely with one of their partners; the locally based NGO, Blue Ventures (BV) Conservation, within the recently formed Velondriake Community Managed Marine and Coastal Protected Area. BV are driving forward community-based management strategies and environmental awareness programs for the tortoises. BV, in partnership with the community of Lamboara and the Velondriake Management Committee are now developing and implementing a community-driven tortoise monitoring project. A number of tortoise monitors from Lamboara are currently undergoing training within this area, which now represents one of the last remaining strong holds for the northern spider tortoise.

Year of the Turtle Photo Contest Along with our turtle conservation partners, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) announces a photo contest for 2011 Year of the Turtle! We are seeking close-up, digital photos of turtles, preferably in their natural habitats or within an educational or conservation context. One winner will be selected each month to be the featured photo as part of the Year of the Turtle online calendar. Runner-up photos will also be included in the calendar. Additionally, all submitted images will be considered for use in the Year of the Turtle monthly newsletter and website as well as other Year of the Turtle related conservation, outreach, and educational efforts. Give us your best shot! Visit www.yearoftheturtle.org for more information.

The above is an excerpt from the Dec 17th edition of "Turtle Survival Alliance Newsletter!"

Turtle Survival Alliance Newsletter December - 2010

Like Us! Turtle Survival Alliance We have a special opportunity available to make your money go much further! Donations made to the TSA's India program by December 31 will be matched 50 cents on the dollar by longtime TSA supporter Nature's Own (up to $40,000). That means if you donate $100, the TSA will receive $150 - it's that easy! After the recent workshop in Lucknow (read about it in the TSA blog), there is no better time to support the India pr Donate to the TSA www.turtlesurvival.org 2011 - Year of the Turtle Turtle Conservation Groups in partnership with PARC are designating 2011 as the Year of the Turtle Why turtles, and why now? Turtles are disappearing from the planet faster than birds, mammals, and even amphibians. Today, over 40% of turtle species are identified as threatened with extinction; the primary threats are human-caused.  However, it's not too late for our turtle heritage to be salvaged.  The United States has more endemic turtle species than anywhere on Earth; a turtle biodiversity hotspot.  Our careful stewardship can preserve the rare species and keep 'common species common.'  Throughout the year, we will be raising awareness of the issues surrounding turtles through press releases, newsletters, photo contests, and related events. It is our hope that citizens, natural resource managers, scientists, and the pet and food and related industries will work together to address issues and to help ensure long-term survival of turtle species and populations. Supporting Partners (to date) include (and will not be limited to): Turtle Conservancy, Turtle Survival Alliance, IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, US Fish & Wildlife Service International Affairs, Chelonian Research Foundation, Turtle Conservation Fund, AZA Chelonian Taxonomic Advisory Group, SUNY ESF, Virginia Herpetological Society,... and the list keeps growing! Bookmark www.yearoftheturtle.org, and check it often for more information on how YOU can get involved! Sign up for our monthly newsletters, containing: A downloadable turtle photo calendar for each month, including a photo contest - YOUR photo could be in the calendar Information about turtle conservation efforts and groups - we could print YOUR story here Interviews with turtle experts, and answers to selected questions that YOU send us Information on how YOU can help spread the word about turtles Educational materials -- how YOU can teach about turtles Featured turtle artwork, poetry, and cultural information that YOU send us... and much, MUCH, more!   Please contact us at YearOfTheTurtle2011@gmail.com if you would like to help to promote or contribute materials to 2011 Year of the Turtle. Keep watching, we'll be announcing our turtle calendar photo contest very soon.   Winterizing Headstart Facilities in India  Personnel at the Garhaita Turtle Conservation Center have been hard at work winterizing their headstart facilities for endangered turtles, specifically Batagur kachuga. Improvements will allow for increased water oxygenation and better water quality. Additionally, steps have been taken to protect the hatchlings and yearlings from cooler winter temperatures. Put a Turtle Under their Tree Avoid long lines and crowded malls this year, while supporting turtle conservation. Gift memberships are available on the TSA website anytime and they are a great way to give a gift that lasts all year.  We have also slashed prices in theonline store on merchandise including t-shirts, limited edition prints and hats. Click here to check out the low prices! Most of these items are only available in limited quantities, so get yours today before they're gone! As a bonus, a 2011 TSA calendar (featuring beautiful box turtle images) will be included FREE with every order while supplies last. 2011 Conference  It's official! We'll be returning to Orlando for the 9th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles. We will be welcomed once again by the Rosen Plaza from August 14-17, 2011. Mark your calendars and keep an eye on the newsletter for more details as they become available. See you there!

This is a forwarded copy of the original, "Turtle Survival Newsletter" - Dec 3 2010