European Turtle Alliance Conference '23

This was my 3rd year attending the Turtle Alliance Conference and every year it gets better, I

especially felt the workshops this year were really good and a lot of thought had gone into them.

There was arrange of talks from veterinary to conservation with a focus on breeding projects from

speakers with various backgrounds, all delivered the talks well considering the range of knowledge

and experience within the audience. All were really interesting but I particularly liked ‘changes on

welfare and conservation legislation’ by Jane Williams, ‘changes in chelonian medicine’ by Dr

Shannon Diruzzo who discussed case studies, tip and tricks that worked and didn’t work with certain

species and ‘introducing the new glasshouse habitat and Chelonia at Marwell zoo’ by Dani Kilroy as

it was amazing to hear about all the hard work, planning and technology that went into opening that

exhibit..

As mentioned above the workshops this year were really good, ranging from ‘UV lighting’, ‘tortoise

health checks’ and ‘how to preform a post mortem on a tortoise’. The workshops were delivered at

various levels knowledge and something of interest for everyone. Whilst the post-mortem wasn’t for

everyone (there was food, tea/coffee and a few stalls/notice boards if you choose not to attend), I

think it was good for learning tortoise anatomy and the effects of years of poor husbandry and why

it’s important we learn and improve our knowledge. I hope future events will hold more wet lab

workshop.

The conference is super affordable and great value for money especially if you have a small CPD

budget. Included in what you pay for is all the talks and workshops across two days, lunch on the

Saturday, snacks during breaks, teas, coffee’s and soft drinks. All food is catered for various dietary

requirements including vegetarian, vegan, food allergies and intolerances. You also have the option

to book onto the evening meal for an additional fee which I really recommend as you can get a

chance to talk to some of the speakers or even just socialize with other chelonian enthusiasts and

enjoy food/drink. Whilst the conferences is easy to book onto, its best done from a laptop/computer

as the form isn’t the best on a mobile.

I think next year It would be good to see/hear from more students doing projects in Chelonia,

especially ones that Turtle Alliance Europe have funded and maybe more stands either shops stalls

or organizations.

Overall it is a great conference that is continuously growing and improving all thanks to its

volunteers that hard work behind the scenes. I look forward to next year.

Sabine's ETA memorial

It is with deep regret that we bring the sad news of the passing of Sabine Bohmer. Sabine was a much loved and respected member of the European Turtle Alliance committee. She was dedicated to the conservation and welfare of Chelonia, regularly travelling long distances to volunteer at projects across Europe. She used her fluency in multiple languages to bring together Dutch, Austrian, German and English Chelonia communities with expert translations of articles, papers and government documents. 

Sabine will be remembered for so many reasons, including her boundless kindness, intelligence and passion. Our thoughts are with her family and her partner Matty.

Anyone who wishes to pass on a personal tribute can do so here …

New York ballet company offers a sneak preview of the world’s first turtle ballet

Fergus the Turtus by New York-based Benjamin Briones Ballet will be the world’s first full-length turtle ballet. At a time when wildlife preservation is so vitally important, the production will showcase the beauty and plight of the natural world through dance. The first animals to take centre stage are the humble tortoise and turtle. The vision is to show that the arts can play a key role in bringing conservation issues to a wider audience.

Benjamin Briones Ballet is offering a virtual glimpse into this bold project on 17 August 2021 at 7.00-8.00pm London time. Writers, wildlife conservation experts and ballet aficionados have collaborated with the Benjamin Briones team to deliver a choreographed taster of the fairytale ballet based on real conservation issues, with beautiful footage of both ballerinas and animals. This will be followed by an opportunity to meet the dancers and the team the behind the project.

This will be the European premiere of a filmed excerpt of Fergus the Turtus.

It can be viewed at…

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fergus-a-turtle-ballet-a-work-in-progress-tickets-164201217261

Suggested ticket price: £10.

The target is to raise funds to produce a full-length ballet to open in Summer 2022. Fergus will begin in New York City in as a two-act ballet. Follow-up performances are planned in New Mexico and London.

‘The ballet presents a unique collaboration between the arts and conservation,’ says Briones, ‘bringing awareness to the dance audience of a species close to extinction’.

The ballet is based on the book Fergus the Turtus by Sebastian Morley and has been produced with support from the Fergus Advisory Committee, consisting of leading wildlife experts from Turtle Conservancy, The Pritchard Collection, Hudson River Park, Desert Tortoise Council, Terrapin Nesting Project and European Turtle Alliance.

The production promises to excite and inspire, with dazzling handmade costumes by artist Rene Maynez, a dynamic score by Felipe Perez Santiago and a special guest appearance by former Royal Ballet soloist Fernando Montano, dancing Henry the Sulcata.

Fergus is a fictional mix of tortoise and turtle – a ‘Turtus’ – with a mother living in water and a father on land. Fergus experiences many adventures in search of his own identity and his role in the world. Fergus discovers that his true superpower is being unique. He encounters issues such as habitat loss, pollution and poaching for the pet trade and so-called medicinal purposes. Young and old will enjoy the artistry while learning about our wonderful planet and vulnerable species of turtles and tortoises.

‘It is my vision to make the ballet far-reaching in its scope to educate and inspire,’ says Briones. Performances of Fergus will accompany dance and conservation workshops, as well as community events. These will not only show viewers of all ages the artistry of ballet, but also help to provide education on conservation, our planet and the wonderful and intriguing species of turtles and tortoises.

‘I am so thrilled to read that my dear friend Chiara Gorodesky has inspired a unique dance adventure supported by a team of conservationists to epitomise her love of tortoises, terrapins and turtles,’ says Graham Watts OBE, Chairman of the National Dance Awards. ‘Benjamin Briones is choreographing a tale of love, courage and survival to tell the story of Fergus the Turtus that will enchant big and small. Turtles and tortoises are are among the most threatened groups of animals and are in desperate need of conservation help. They play vital roles in a healthy ecosystem face habitat loss, unsustainable consumptive exploitation for food and medicinal products, and are victims of international pet trade.’

For more information visit…

www.benjaminbrionesballet.org/fergus

Mediterranean Tortoises book

The conservation and husbandry of any species requires the knowledge of that species requirements in the wild. Wolfgang Wegehaupt has spent decades researching European tortoises in the field and has published a number of excellent books in German. TSA Europe provided financial support to translate 37 chapters of information on the ecology of European Testudo species into English to allow this information to reach a much wider audience. Available on amazon.

72943323_2388293967949573_4194481648437297152_n.jpg

In Memoriam of TSA Europe Chair Henk Zwartepoorte by Ron de Bruin on December 07, 2016

On October 28, Henk Zwartepoorte died unexpectedly while on holiday in Australia. He was 67 years old. Henk was a passionate leader in the turtle conservation community. Because of his friendly and approachable nature Henk had an extensive network of people involved in turtle care, biology, and conservation around the world. Henk started his career as an animal caretaker in the Rotterdam Zoo, where he later became curator of the reptile and amphibian collection. Under his guidance, the Rotterdam Zoo became a leader in reptile and amphibian breeding and conservation.

Henk has been involved with the TSA since its foundation in 2001 in Fort Worth, TX and he was chairman of TSA Europe.

In 1994 Henk initiated the Dutch Studbook Foundation, aimed at conserving threatened chelonians and other taxa. His efforts to promote breeding programs resulted in the adoption of studbooks by several European countries, which lead to the creation of the European Studbook Foundation, of which Henk was the president from 2003 until 2016. He strengthened the link between the European Association of Zoos, Aquaria, and the European Studbook Foundation. This contributed to bridging the gap between zoos and private keepers, both of whom could participate in the studbooks.

Henk was a tireless promoter of conservation philosophy. He was involved in many conservation projects around the world and played a pivotal role in distributing chelonians that were seized by authorities around the globe.

After his retirement from the zoo two years ago, Henk started with the realization of his dream, the ReHerp Foundation (www.reherp.com), an organization that cares for and breeds highly endangered reptiles and amphibians with the aim to eventually reintroduce them to their original habitat in cooperation with the local population. Unfortunately, he will never witness the completion of the ReHerp facilities in the beginning of 2017.

Henk was not just an icon in his field of expertise, he was a good person with high moral standards and above all, a nice guy.

We will miss him incredibly in all his various capacities. On behalf of the TSA Europe I want to wish his wife Mary strength to bear this great loss.

We will all miss Henk.

Ron de Bruin

Photo credit: Rob Doolaard, Rotterdam Zoo

14991966_1001121663333484_1219538155258044614_n.jpg

Hans Dieter Philippen obituary

The shock was great. May  9 this year very unexpected at the age of 58 our Turtle Survival Alliance Europe vice chair Hans Dieter Philippen passed away. Very peacefully in his sleep. May 13 he was cremated and May 21 his ashes were buried at the Bergerbos cemetery in the Netherlands.

Hans Dieter always lived close to the Dutch boarder and by a lot of Dutch turtle keepers he was sometimes called “an almost Dutchman”.

The TSA Europe not only loses one of her vice chairs but also a very dedicated turtle conservationist.

October 20, 1984 I met him for the first time at a meeting of the Dutch Turtle and Tortoise Society at the Rotterdam Zoo. That day a 32 years long personal friendship began. During the 80ties he guided us to a increasing number of German, Austrian and Swiss turtle keepers and breeders. We visited zoos together and he was a very welcome guest at the Rotterdam. He was advisor for the European Association for Zoos and Aquariums, advisor for the European Studbook Foundation and since 2002 TSA Europe vice chair.

Hans Dieter had the ability to bind people. He did that in a charmy, friendly and co operative way.

His knowledge on fauna and flora was tremendous; he was a living encyclopaedia. Besides that he built up a large library of books, magazines and other references. You never got a “no” for an answer when you asked him something.

On his memory card was written:

There are people in the world,

Having the gift,

To find friends everywhere; and

The best thing a person can leave behind,

is a smile on the face

of those who remember him.

The reptile and amphibian keepers community lost an icon.

Although he is no longer with us he will never be forgotten. His name will endlessly be connected to what we all share the love for animals.

And when we remember him we will indeed do with a smile.

Our condolences go to his wife Elke Grünwald and his family. We wish them strength.

 

On behalf of the TSA Europe board

Henk Zwartepoorte, TSA Europe chair.

Hans Dieter Philippen.jpg