Shellshock
EAZA Turtle and Tortoise Campaign 2004/5
Campaign Targets
The Shellshock Campaign focussed on three Mission Targets:-
1) Increasing public awareness of the crisis that they are facing;
2) Saving species directly by promoting and supporting further EAZA institution participation in Turtle Arks - the managed captive safety net populations set up for priority species;
3) Raising funds to support new or existing priority turtle & tortoise conservation initiatives in range countries.
Photo: Malayan box turtle (Cuora amboinensis)
© C.R. Shepherd/TRAFFIC Southeast Asia
© C.R. Shepherd/TRAFFIC Southeast Asia
Awareness
Awareness of the extinction crisis facing turtles and tortoises was an important part of the Shellshock Campaign. Participating institutions have
publicised the desperate nature of the conservation problem that these ancient species face and stressed to their visitors
the appalling treatment that so many millions of individual animals are subjected to in the name of the commercial food and pet trade.To assist the participants in this awareness task, a lot of information and educational material was made available for Shellshock participants. Information on participation in the campaign and turtle and tortoise facts were published in the Campaign Info Pack and CD-ROM, that were sent to all registered participants. For an overview of all sources of information, refer to Background Information and Campaign Activities.
Saving Species
Thirty-six tortoise and freshwater turtle species were selected as Shellshock priority species. Ex situ programmes (Turtle Arks or Assurance Populations) might be the only change of survival for these species. All EAZA institutions have been asked to consider taking one (or more) of the priority species into their collections. Interested institutions can complete the Reservist List Registration Form to indicate their interest. The priority species have been classified (in increasing level of urgency) as either - Black Alert, Amber Alert or Red Alert.
For some of these species captive holdings in EAZA institutions already exists (Ark Expansion), for others new captive populations will have to be started (Ark Establishment). More detailed information on husbandry and requirements of these species can be found in the Species Info Sheets (Appendix 2) in the Shellshock Info Pack.
Photo: Mangrove terrapin (Batagur baska) juveniles
© Doug Hendrie.
© Doug Hendrie.
| Red Alert | |
| Painted river turtle | Callagur borneoensis |
| Roti Island snake-necked turtle | Chelodina mccordi |
| Yellow-headed box turtle | Cuora aurocapitata |
| Flowerback box turtle | Cuora galbinifrons |
| McCord's box turtle | Cuora mccordi |
| Pan's box turtle | Cuora pani |
| Golden coin box turtle | Cuora trifasciata |
| Zhou's box turtle | Cuora zhoui |
| Sulawesi forest turtle | Leucocephalon yuwonoi |
| Annam leaf turtle | Mauremys annamensis |
| Egyptian tortoise (EEP) | Testudo kleinmanni |
| Negev tortoise | Testudo werneri |
| Burmese star tortoise | Geochelone platynota |
| Depressed turtle | Heosemys depressa |
| Red-crowned roof turtle | Kachuga kachuga |
| Amber Alert | |
| Malayan box turtle (ESB) | Cuora amboinensis |
| Yellow-margined box turtle | Cuora flavomarginata |
| Indian star tortoise | Geochelone elegans |
| Black-breasted leaf turtle | Geoemyda spengleri |
| Spiny hill turtle (ESB) | Heosemys spinosa |
| Giant Asian pond turtle (ESB) | Heosemys grandis |
| Elongated tortoise | Indotestudo elongata |
| Asian giant tortoise | Manouria emys |
| Malaysian giant turtle (ESB) | Orlitia borneensis |
| Malagasy spider tortoise | Pyxis arachnoides |
| Malagasy flat-tailed tortoise | Pyxis planicauda |
| Beal's eyed tortoise | Sacalia bealei |
| Red-necked pond turtle | Chinemys nigricans |
| Japanese leaf turtle | Geoemyda japonica |
| Four-eyed tortoise | Sacalia quadriocellata |
| Black Alert | |
| Red-footed tortoise | Geochelone carbonaria |
| Yellow-footed tortoise | Geochelone denticulata |
| Hermann's tortoise | Testudo hermanni |
| Radiated tortoise (ESB) | Geochelone radiata |
| Pancake tortoise (ESB) | Malacochersus tornieri |
| South-American river turtle | Podocnemis expansa |
Fundraising
The initial fundraising target for Shellshock was €150,000. This was exceeded by more than €200,000! The final result was €372,093.30. These funds have been raised through various activities in and around the participating institutions and through sales of Shellshock merchandise items in the zoo shops. Please visit the Campaign Activities section for samples of the fundraising activities and the Shellshock shop to see the Shellshock merchandise. The tremendous fundraising results mean that many zoos have reached the targets for bronze, silver, gold and even platinum fundraising certificates (see Awards & Certificates). The funds were used to support in situ turtle and tortoise conservation projects. See the `Projects` section for more information and updates.
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| >> Targets | >> Contacts |
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| >> Background information | |