In Panama, legal rights given to sea turtles, boosting the ‘rights of nature’ movement
May 24, 2023 GMTOn a Panamanian beach long after dark, a group of undergraduate students dug into the sand to excavate a sea turtle nest, their lamps casting a soft red glow as they studied eggs, inventoried the success of the hatch and checked for any surviving hatchlings stuck at the bottom of the nest.
PHOENIX (AP) — They’re not fluffy, they don’t play fetch and they certainly don’t roll over. But there is such a thing as a lap tortoise.
What’s more, pet tortoises can wag their tails, will plod on up to greet you and some can even recognize their own names.
Virginia man pleads guilty in turtle trafficking case
April 25, 2023 GMTALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A Virginia man who caught and sold wild turtles has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally trafficking the reptiles.
Stanlee Fazi, 41, of Louisa, Virginia, admitted Monday in federal court in Alexandria that he made nearly $13,000 over three years selling turtles to customers across the U.S.
Loggerhead sea turtle released after rehabbing in Florida
February 15, 2023 GMTJUNO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A loggerhead sea turtle named Rocky paused briefly on the sand Wednesday morning before slowly crawling into the Atlantic Ocean after spending six weeks rehabbing at Florida's Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
New smoking ban starts at Miami Beach parks and beaches
December 30, 2022 GMTStarting New Year's Day, you can still wear bikinis on the beaches of Miami Beach, but forget about showing any butts — cigarette butts, that is.
A smoking ban is being implemented Sunday after the stroke of midnight at all Miami Beach municipal parks and public beaches.
Suit: US ship canal dredging in summer threatens sea turtles
December 16, 2022 GMTSAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A conservation group has filed suit over a U.S. agency's planned timeframe for dredging a Georgia coast shipping channel, arguing that using powerful pumps to suck up harbor sediments in summertime would endanger rare sea turtles.
Wildlife conference boosts protection for sharks, turtles
November 26, 2022 GMTPANAMA CITY (AP) — An international wildlife conference moved to enact some of the most significant protection for shark species targeted in the fin trade and scores of turtles, lizards and frogs whose numbers are being decimated by the pet trade.
Wildlife conference boosts protection for sharks, turtles
November 26, 2022 GMTPANAMA CITY (AP) — An international wildlife conference moved to enact some of the most significant protection for shark species targeted in the fin trade and scores of turtles, lizards and frogs whose numbers are being decimated by the pet trade.
15 sea turtles released after rehabbing in the Florida Keys
November 14, 2022 GMTKEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — A green sea turtle named after Hurricane Ian was among 15 injured sea turtles released in Gulf Stream waters off Key West by staff from a turtle hospital and members of a powerboat racing team vying for the sport’s world championship.
Turtles in demand as pets, leading to a spike in poaching
November 9, 2022 GMTPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Swimming in two plastic bins inside a brightly lit and sterile quarantine room at a Rhode Island zoo, 16 quarter-sized turtle hatchlings represent a growing worry for conservationist Lou Perrotti.
San Diego Zoo welcomes 41 endangered turtle hatchlings
October 3, 2022 GMTSAN DIEGO (AP) — It only took two decades, but a rare and endangered turtle species has finally bred at the San Diego Zoo.
Zoo officials on Monday announced the arrival of 41 tiny Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle hatchlings.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests 1st in 75 years in Louisiana
August 18, 2022 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — The world’s smallest and most endangered sea turtles have hatched in Louisiana's wilds for the first known time in more than 75 years, officials said Wednesday.
1st sea turtle nest found on Mississippi beach since 2018
August 7, 2022 GMTPASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. (AP) — Beach crews have found the first sea turtle nest on the Mississippi mainland in four years.
A Harrison County Sand Beach crew that was cleaning up found what appeared to be turtle tracks just east of the Pass Christian Harbor, officials said.
Sea turtles crawl to new nesting record on Georgia coast
August 3, 2022 GMTSAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Rare sea turtles that spend summers laying eggs on Southern beaches have crawled to a new state record in Georgia.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday that more than 3,960 loggerhead sea turtle nests have been counted since May along the Georgia coast.
World’s toughest turtle? Survivor among 8 returned to ocean
August 2, 2022 GMTPOINT PLEASANT BEACH, N.J. (AP) — If what doesn't kill you truly makes you stronger, then Titan is the strongest turtle in the ocean.
The juvenile Loggerhead turtle has been gashed by a boat propeller, had part of his front flipper bitten off by a shark, and was being attacked by a different shark when two New Jersey fishermen intervened, saved him and called Sea Turtle Recovery, a group that rescues and rehabilitates turtles before returning them to the ocean.
Sea turtle released in Florida to compete in Tour de Turtles
July 19, 2022 GMTMARATHON, Fla. (AP) — A juvenile green sea turtle that underwent multiple surgeries to remove cauliflower-like tumors was released last week off the Florida Keys with a satellite-tracking transmitter.
Hawaii national park gets land where ancient villages stood
July 12, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island was given new land on Tuesday in a deal that will protect and manage a pristine white sand beach and ocean bay area that is home to endangered and endemic species and to rare, culturally significant Native Hawaiian artifacts.
Rescued sea turtles in Israel released back to the wild
July 8, 2022 GMTMICHMORET, Israel (AP) — Over a dozen endangered sea turtles that were rescued after suffering major injuries in the Mediterranean scuttled their way over a beach in Israel on Friday after months of medical care.
10 rescued sea turtles released off of Cape Cod
July 3, 2022 GMTWELLFLEET, Mass. (AP) — Ten sea turtles rescued from cold waters last year have been returned to the deep.
The New England Aquarium says the marine reptiles were released on Cape Cod last week.
81 sea turtle nests on Hatteras seashore; up from 2021
June 17, 2022 GMTMANTEO, N.C. (AP) — There are more sea turtle nests on a portion of North Carolina's Outer Banks this season than at the same time last year, officials said Friday in observing World Sea Turtle Day.
Happy together: Orphaned turtles and kids who set them free
June 8, 2022 GMTSTONE HARBOR, N.J. (AP) — The circle of life was on vivid display Wednesday at the Jersey Shore in a way that even the youngest children could understand.
Seventeen young turtles that had been raised from eggs retrieved from the smashed bodies of mothers killed on roads were released back into the wild by a class of kindergartners.
Sea turtle delivers eggs, endures surgery after shark attack
June 2, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — A loggerhead turtle whose left fin was destroyed in a shark attack is rehabbing at Zoo Miami's new Sea Turtle Hospital, where veterinarians were able to save more than 100 of her eggs after she was rescued.
Sea turtles busy nesting on beaches in Georgia, S. Carolina
May 15, 2022 GMTBRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Rare loggerhead sea turtles are busy digging nests and laying eggs on beaches in Georgia and South Carolina.
Wildlife officials in both states have reported finding dozens of nests since May 1, considered the unofficial start of the sea turtle nesting season.
CEO of Florida’s Loggerhead Marinelife Center resigns
May 4, 2022 GMTJUNO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The director of a nonprofit research and environmental center in Florida has resigned amid continuing water-quality issues in sea turtle rehabilitation tanks and an exodus of staff.
SC wildlife officials find first sea turtle nest of season
May 3, 2022 GMTCHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — State wildlife officials in South Carolina are reporting the discovery of the season’s first sea turtle nest.
Monday's discovery comes one day after the official start of the 2022 turtle nesting season.
Healed sea turtle released to mark Earth Day in Florida Keys
April 22, 2022 GMTMARATHON, Fla. (AP) — A rehabilitated green sea turtle was released back to the ocean in the Florida Keys on Friday to mark Earth Day.
Several hundred onlookers watched on Marathon’s Sombrero Beach as staff from the Keys-based Turtle Hospital released “TJ Sharp,” a 65-pound (30-kilogram) juvenile sea turtle that was rescued in February.
‘Lizard King’ gets 7 months for trafficking Florida turtles
April 20, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — A Florida man has been sentenced to seven months in federal prison followed by a year of home confinement for his part in a scheme to smuggle illegally harvested Florida turtles to China, Japan and other places.
Woman arrested after pet remains found in vacant mobile home
April 19, 2022 GMTVALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — A woman faces animal cruelty charges after the remains of a cat, rabbit, bird and two turtles were found in her abandoned mobile home near Valparaiso.
The woman was arrested Monday after the bodies of the animals were found March 17, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported Tuesday.
Georgia vets return sea turtles to ocean after long recovery
April 16, 2022 GMTJEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — A pair of rare sea turtles have returned to the ocean after veterinarians spent nearly a year nursing them back to health on the Georgia coast.
The adult female loggerhead turtles were released into the surf Friday on the beach at Jekyll Island.
Oahu beach suspends camping to protect nesting turtles
April 8, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu and the Marine Corps are suspending overnight camping at an Oahu beach to protect sea turtles that nest on the shoreline.
The suspension affects camping at Bellows Field Beach Park from April 18 through Sept.
Boaters on coast urged to watch for sea turtles, manatees
April 2, 2022 GMTBRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Georgia wildlife officials say sea turtle and manatee sightings are on the rise along the state's coast and urge boaters to watch out to avoid hitting them.
Boat strikes are a leading cause of sea turtle strandings and manatee injuries and deaths, according to a news release from the state Department of Natural Resources.
Turtle escape-hatches now required in more shrimp nets
March 9, 2022 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — The federal government is reminding shrimpers that more boats are now required to have escape hatches for sea turtles installed in their nets.
11 sea turtles to swim free Friday in Mississippi Sound
March 3, 2022 GMTGULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Aquarium's first group of sea turtles to recover from New England’s most recent cold-stunning season will soon be swimming free.
Man gets prison for illegally shipping turtles and snakes
February 27, 2022 GMTVALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) — A Florida man who admitted that he illegally shipped turtles and venomous snakes from his home in south Georgia has been sentenced to serve nearly three years in prison.
Ashtyn Michael Rance, 35, of Miami pleaded guilty in November to one count of wildlife trafficking and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Rehabilitated sea turtle ‘Sheldon’ released off Florida Keys
February 19, 2022 GMTMARATHON, Fla. (AP) — Just in time for sea turtle mating season in the Florida Keys, a rehabilitated male loggerhead turtle was released Friday off Pigeon Key.
“Sheldon,” named by his U.S. Coast Guard rescuers, was discovered earlier this month near the Old Seven Mile Bridge.
Turtles dying from eating trash show plastics scourge in UAE
February 8, 2022 GMTKALBA, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The hawksbill sea turtle lay belly-up on the metal autopsy table, its shell ashen and stomach taut.
A week ago, the adolescent turtle washed up on a beach in Kalba, a city on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates.
Sea turtle swims wild after long rehab at 2 aquariums
January 15, 2022 GMTGULFPORT, Miss (AP) — An endangered sea turtle is back in the ocean after more than a year of rehabilitation at aquariums in Boston and Mississippi.
The Mississippi Aquarium released the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle named Typhoon on Thursday into the Mississippi Sound at Biloxi.
Wildlife agents find men who dug up sea turtle nests in SC
December 18, 2021 GMTFOLLY BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Three young men on vacation at a South Carolina beach dug up a marked loggerhead turtle nest causing 71 of the 90 eggs not to hatch, wildlife officials said.
The men posted video of themselves digging up a nest marked with orange tape and signs on Folly Beach to Snapchat in September, and the Department of Natural Resources said agents were able to track them down.
20 endangered sea turtles flown to Florida to avoid freezing
December 11, 2021 GMTMARATHON, Fla. (AP) — Twenty critically endangered juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were flown from New England to the subtropical Florida Keys to convalesce at the Marathon Turtle Hospital after being rescued from Cape Cod Bay’s frigid coastal waters.
When turtles fly: Cold-stunned animals nursed in Mississippi
December 7, 2021 GMTGULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — Forty endangered sea turtles that were injured when the water off Massachusetts cooled down so quickly that they couldn't swim away are being nursed back to health at the Mississippi Aquarium, flown there by a volunteer pilot group known as Turtles Fly Too.
Cape Cod sea turtle strandings increase after slow start
November 29, 2021 GMTQUINCY, Mass. (AP) — Sea turtle strandings on Cape Cod are picking up after a slow start to the season, experts at the New England Aquarium said Monday.
The aquarium has so far cared for almost 120 of the animals at its Quincy turtle hospital, the vast majority of which have been endangered Kemp’s ridley turtles.
2021 S.C. sea turtle nest count will exceed 2020 total
November 28, 2021 GMTCHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — More loggerhead turtle nests were counted on South Carolina beaches this year than in 2020, according to state Department of Natural Resources data.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reports officials counted more than 5,600 sea turtle nests this year, with data still being tallied.
Sea turtle at Mississippi Aquarium inspires musical
November 27, 2021 GMTGULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — A sea turtle at the Mississippi Aquarium has inspired a musical.
The green sea turtle Banner was the inspiration behind, “Banner: A Sea Turtle Saga,” an original children’s musical put on by theater students from Mississippi State University.
Injured sea turtle’s intestinal gas hampered diving
November 26, 2021 GMTGULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — An injured sea turtle at the Mississippi Aquarium is getting medicine to reduce intestinal gas because a buildup was keeping her from diving.
Banner the green sea turtle was rescued in Florida after being severely injured by a boat propeller.
Feds seek to protect map turtles in 4 Gulf states, Georgia
November 22, 2021 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Monday that it is proposing threatened status for the Pearl River map turtle, seeking to grant added federal protections to an at-risk species found only in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Man admits illegally shipping turtles and venomous snakes
November 21, 2021 GMTVALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) — A Florida man has admitted that he illegally shipped turtles and venomous snakes from his home in south Georgia.
Ashtyn Michael Rance of Miami on Thursday pleaded guilty to one count of wildlife trafficking and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, federal prosecutors said in a news release.
Gizmos in a half shell: Surgical tags to monitor sea turtles
November 9, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Marine researchers in New England said Tuesday they have collected data from tags that were surgically implanted in sea turtles for the first time.
Scientists with the New England Aquarium who performed the work said it could lead to improvements in the way researchers monitor threatened species of turtles.
Feds propose threatened status for alligator snapping turtle
November 8, 2021 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Monday that it is proposing threatened status for alligator snapping turtles -- huge, spike-shelled reptiles that lurk at the bottom of lakes and slow waterways, luring prey to their mouths by sticking out a wormlike lure.
4 LatAm nations create fishing-free corridor in east Pacific
November 3, 2021 GMTBOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Four Latin American countries announced Tuesday that they will expand and unite their marine reserves to create a vast corridor in the Pacific Ocean in hopes of protecting sea turtles, tuna, squid, hammerhead sharks and other species.
Whales off California coast delay commercial crab season
November 3, 2021 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The start of the commercial Dungeness crab season will be delayed for some areas of Northern California for the third year in a row to protect whales and sea turtles from becoming entangled in trap and buoy lines.
Some Florida beaches see record year for sea turtle nests
November 2, 2021 GMTFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Biologists were taken by surprise by a record number of leatherback turtle nests found along some South Florida beaches this year.
The 79 nests laid by endangered turtles along beaches in Broward County this year is nearly double the previous record, the South Florida SunSentinel reported.
Mac the big snapping turtle dies at Florida’s Sunken Gardens
October 20, 2021 GMTST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Mac, an alligator snapping turtle that lived at a botanical garden in Florida for more than 50 years, has died.
The turtle died unexpectedly on Monday, according to Dave Biggs, supervisor of Sunken Gardens in St.
Rescued in Alabama, sea turtle dies at Mississippi Aquarium
October 16, 2021 GMTA threatened loggerhead sea turtle was found dead Friday at the Mississippi Aquarium, eight days after being accidentally hooked and then rescued at a state park on Alabama's Gulf Coast.
California OKs new protections for leatherback sea turtles
October 15, 2021 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California has added the Pacific leatherback sea turtle to its endangered species list, guaranteeing more protections for a rapidly dwindling population.
The California Fish and Game Commission voted Thursday to add the turtles under the state's Endangered Species Act.
2-headed baby turtle thrives at Massachusetts animal refuge
October 12, 2021 GMTBARNSTABLE, Mass. (AP) — A rare two-headed diamondback terrapin turtle is alive and kicking — with all six of its legs — at the Birdsey Cape Wildlife Center in Massachusetts after hatching two weeks ago.
‘Lizard King’ charged with trafficking Florida turtles
October 6, 2021 GMTMIAMI (AP) — A convicted wildlife smuggler who still operates as a leading buyer and seller of reptiles has been accused by federal prosecutors of scheming to smuggle illegally harvested Florida turtles to China, Japan and other places.
AP PHOTOS: In Kenya, ex-accountant now protects sea turtles
October 2, 2021 GMTWATAMU, Kenya (AP) — As soon as he gets a call from a fisherman who's accidentally caught a turtle off Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline, Local Ocean Conservation’s Fikiri Kiponda jumps into his car to save it.
Reward offered for turtles stolen from Georgia preserve
September 30, 2021 GMTJOHNS CREEK, Ga. (AP) — An animal rights groups is offering a reward to try to recover five turtles that were stolen from a nature preserve in an Atlanta suburb.
The box turtles were taken last week from the Autrey Mill nature preserve in Johns Creek, WSB-TV reports.
A shell of a trip: Sea turtle flown from Florida to Texas
September 27, 2021 GMTMARATHON, Fla. (AP) — A large loggerhead sea turtle rehabilitated at the Florida Keys-based Turtle Hospital was flown by private plane Sunday to live at a conservation facility in Texas.
The 230-pound female turtle took the nearly five-hour flight from the Middle Keys to South Padre Island, Texas, with the help of “Turtles Fly Too,” a nonprofit group that works with general aviation pilots who donate their aircraft, fuel and time to provide emergency transport for endangered species.
For one night, TV comics focus their shows on climate change
September 23, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Sewage treatment, sea turtles and a depressing condom ad all came up when late-night television hosts united for one night to turn their comic lenses to climate change.
Eight late-night hosts devoted a portion of their programs Wednesday and early Thursday to the issue, part of a Climate Week initiative timed to the United Nations' General Assembly meeting in New York.