Hello everyone! This is the third week of my internship. After my weekly Zoom meeting with my mentor, I continued to find listings for turtles for sale online. I can now record information more quickly. Some listings I’ve found have surprised me, such as one of close to 100 turtle shells. I was also lucky enough to gain some insight into what can be done with confiscated turtles. On Friday, I joined a conference call and listened to a presentation on Wood turtle genetics. By testing the turtles, the location they were likely poached in can be determined. This way, turtles can be returned to their original environment. After beginning to read about past cases of poaching, I learned about some conservation laws, such as the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act is one act that regulates the wildlife trade. I have also read more about species being protected under CITES, which is an agreement to protect endangered species from the wildlife trade. I am excited to learn more about turtle conservation and conservation in general. Below is a picture of a wood turtle, the species that the presentation focused on.
Outside of my internship, I spent some time with friends and family. I went for a hike in Ouray, which was a lot of fun. I also have been taking care of my plants and animals. My tortoises have recovered from their respiratory infections and are doing well. They enjoy spending time outside in the sun. I plan to move my snake to a larger enclosure soon. She is growing bigger! I also have spent time reading, which I missed when I was very busy during the school year. Below is an image of me holding No Feet, my pet snake.
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