Endangered Turtles at the Bronx Zoo
April 23, 2012
More than half of the world’s 330 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises face extinction. Habitat loss and illegal trade—largely driven by demand from China, specifically for human consumption, traditional medicines, and the pet trade—are the leading causes of their plight.
To address the extinction crisis, the Wildlife Conservation Society is working to ensure the continued survival of more than a dozen of the most endangered freshwater turtles and tortoise species. Some of these efforts are taking place at the Bronx Zoo, where experts are working to breed Roti Island snake-necked turtles, golden coin turtles, McCord's box turtles, and yellow-headed box turtles. Eventually, WCS hopes to reintroduce some of these species to the wild and develop assurance colonies for others.
In this
Wall Street Journal video segment, reporter Wendy Bounds goes behind the scenes at the World of Reptiles and speaks with WCS Zoos and Aquarium General Director Jim Breheny and Curator of Bronx Zoo Herpetology Don Boyer.
