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The Orianne Society and Turtle Conservation

The Orianne Society and Turtle Conservation. Dr. Christina Castellano Director of Turtle Conservation. Outline. The Orianne Society Turtle Conservation Initiative Target Species & Programs. The Orianne Society.

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The Orianne Society and Turtle Conservation

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  1. The Orianne Society and Turtle Conservation Dr. Christina Castellano Director of Turtle Conservation

  2. Outline • The Orianne Society • Turtle Conservation Initiative • Target Species & Programs

  3. The Orianne Society • Not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of reptiles and amphibians • Emphasis on species in North America • Developing international conservation programs

  4. Our Vision & Mission • Healthy and sustainable populations of reptiles and amphibians in nature living harmoniously with human societies that value them. • Apply scientific research and community outreach and education programs to direct on-the-ground conservation initiatives for these organisms.

  5. Our Conservation Model • Species-based and includes genetic, demographic, behavioral, and ecological factors within ecosystem, landscape, and human perspectives.

  6. Starting Point • Established in 2008 • Young girl named Orianne • Indigo Snake Initiative

  7. Indigo Snake Initiative • Ensure the survival of the Eastern Indigo Snake across its range through land protection and management, captive breeding, reintroduction to the wild, environmental education, and scientific research • Flagship species of the Society

  8. Orianne Indigo Snake Preserve • Located along the Ocmulgee River in southern Georgia • Protected & managed natural habitat • Indigo Snake & Gopher Tortoise

  9. Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation • Located in Lake County, Fl • Breeding center • Quarantine Facility • Indoor/outdoor enclosures • Veterinary clinic • Research laboratory

  10. Viper Conservation Initiative • Eastern Diamondback, Timber, and Midget-faded Rattlesnakes • Black-headed Bushmaster • Habitat loss & wrongful persecution • Viper Specialist Group

  11. Turtle Conservation Initiative • About 54% of all turtle species are threatened with extinction (IUCN, 2010) • More than any other major animal on the planet

  12. Turtle Conservation Initiative • Develop our strategy for turtle conservation • Expand the number of target species and programs • Generate the roadmap to successfully implement our strategy

  13. Mission • Science-driven conservation action for turtles • Achieve this through a portfolio of projects that achieve specific outcomes • Address several key action areas

  14. Project Outcomes • Threatened species recovery • Valued our stakeholders & partners • Collaborations with likeminded organizations • Empowered communities • Greater local capacity to be stewards of their wildlife • Financial sustainability

  15. Action Areas • Ecology, biology, and genetics • Community driven conservation • Habitat protection & management • Captive breeding & reintroduction • Environmental education & outreach • Professional training • Public awareness

  16. Science Incorporated • Ecology & biology of little-known species • Demographic properties of small populations • Assessment of threatening processes • Improvement of captive breeding & reintroduction methodologies • Evaluation of land management practices • Determines the effectiveness of community conservation and environmental education programs

  17. Facilitating Research • Incorporating experimental designs into field-based & captive breeding programs • Partnerships & collaborations with research institutions • Pursuing joint funding opportunities • Supporting & mentoring students

  18. Turtle Conservation • Species-based model to turtle conservation • Process of selecting a suite of species based on specific criteria

  19. Selection Criteria • Conservation status • Level of threat • Flagship species • Geography • Umbrella species • Foster collaborations & partnerships • Our level of expertise with a species & its country of origin

  20. Target Species & Programs • Madagascar Tortoise Conservation • Gopher Tortoise Conservation at the Orianne Indigo Snake Preserve

  21. Madagascar Tortoise Conservation Program • Radiated Tortoise, Astrochelys radiata • Spider Tortoise, Pyxis arachnoides

  22. Madagascar Tortoise Conservation Program • Critically Endangered • Restricted to Spiny Forest Ecosystem • Habitat loss • Illegally harvested for local consumption • Illegally traded in the international pet trade

  23. Research • Ph.D. and M.Sc. Candidates • Spatial ecology & habitat preferences • Cap Sainte Marie Special Reserve • Guide management strategies

  24. Environmental Education & Outreach • Turtle Survival Alliance, Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership, Conservation Fusion, World Wildlife Fund • Teacher training program • Curriculum for primary schools • Law enforcement workshop • Monitoring tortoise populations

  25. Community Conservation & Professional Training • Monitoring tortoise populations • Students from local universities • Resource managers

  26. Public Awareness • Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders & Turtle Survival Alliance • Local and regional public awareness campaign • Community programs, website, developing a logo & signage, theater groups

  27. Gopher Tortoise Monitoring Program • Monitor population trends over time • Evaluate habitat management program • Develop a GIS database on the spatial distribution of the species • Identify research needs to guide habitat & property management decisions

  28. Gopher Tortoise Monitoring Program • Long-term monitoring program established in 2010 • Transect and burrow surveys were conducted • Burrows were scoped/investigated to determine occupancy • Captured to retrieve demographic data • Blood samples collected • Notched/pit tagged and returned

  29. Population Summary • A total of 74 individuals were captured • Adults = 92% • 1:1 sex ratio

  30. Move Forward • Continue monitoring program • Environmental education & outreach programs • Research

  31. Acknowledgements • Recanati-Kaplan Foundation • Chris Jenkins, Heidi Hall, Javan Bauder, Karen McLain, Dirk Stevenson, Fred Antonio, Kiley Briggs, Stephen Spear, Teri Aurora, Wayne Taylor, & Lynn Hanna • John Jensen

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