Temple Implementing Measures to Provide a More Suitable Environment for Resident Turtles
A Thailand temple is making efforts to improve the captive environment and husbandry of their resident turtles. After a visit from officials, spurred by social media posts, the temple stated that they would build a second pond to reduce overcrowding in the current setup. The turtles are an important aspect of Asian culture, as they believe in the receipt of spiritual merit from feeding the animals. Many turtles are also abandoned in the pond, and donations are utilized by the temple in order to provide food for them. Supposedly the water is changed twice daily, but social media users had their doubts when they posted photos of filthy water and overcrowded conditions. The temple claims that they maintain a high level of care for the turtles, but nevertheless will build an additional pond. Concern over the welfare of turtles has grown rapidly in recent months, and watching temples take measures to improve their quality of life is an encouraging development.
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Conservation
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Oman: Government involved with turtle tagging program
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Crime & Punishment
UK: Thief makes his escape with pockets of tortoises
Ecology
AU: Shark net trials result in shocking fatalities
Education
USA: Recap of Terrapene presentation
Health & Medical
India: Mass death of turtles raises alarm
Miscellany
Asia: Robotic technology now used on turtles
Species Facts…
Terrapene carolina major is the largest of the Terrapene genus.
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Photo from Asaree Thaitrakulpanich.
