Tortoise Trust Education Program

Education has long been seen as the key to good husbandry, but until now this has been rather intangible, as no easily accessible or affordable method of learning about these animals in a controlled educational environment has been available. That is about to change, as the Tortoise Trust initiates what its founders describe as "our most important development ever".

For the very first time, a comprehensive educational program on tortoise and turtle husbandry will be available to keepers everywhere. The program can be accessed on-line, via the Internet (using a sophisticated multi-media delivery system) or can be taken instead by post, as a standard correspondence or distance-learning course. The accent is on affordability and accessibility, with course materials designed to introduce keepers to all critical aspects of captive maintenance. Whether you are a complete beginner or far more experienced keeper, the material presented in the Tortoise Trust Foundation Course in Chelonian Husbandry will provide an invaluable learning tool and essential reference source.

The Tortoise Trust is hopeful that the existence of this program will have a direct impact upon the quality of care pet tortoises and turtles receive, especially when purchased by inexperienced keepers from pet stores. The original co-founders of the Trust, Jill Martin and Andy C. Highfield commented

"At the Tortoise Trust, we found ourselves having to answer the same questions over again from worried and often confused tortoise and turtle keepers. Many times keepers are given information by unreliable sources, or read books that are out of date or simply inaccurate. It soon became clear that most keepers do not have a through, systematic understanding of exactly how tortoises and turtles function, and how their needs can best me met in captivity. A great many animals suffer unnecessary stress, diseases and even die because keepers often fail to realize just how critical it really is to meet what are often highly specialized environmental and dietary demands. We developed this course to give keepers everywhere the opportunity to learn about these animals and their needs in a step-by-step yet comprehensive manner. Our objective in developing these lessons was to teach keepers how to recognize their animal's specific needs, and to demonstrate practical methods by which those needs can be met in typical captive situations. From day-to-day care to dealing with emergencies, the lessons that form this course are extremely clear and easy to follow. It is our sincere belief that by taking this course all keepers, and their animals, will benefit enormously. It represents a major step forward in our campaign for improved standards in chelonian husbandry. This is the first distance learning program on chelonian husbandry in the world, and has been under development for several years. At last, we can offer keepers everywhere a first-class education in caring for these fascinating and sensitive animals. We urge you to take advantage of it. We think you will find it an extremely rewarding experience".

The curriculum for the Foundation Course includes coverage of a wide range of topics that are essential to providing good practical care and safety, including:

• Understanding tortoise physiology and anatomy

• Thermoregulation and environmental factors

• Behavioral factors in captive husbandry

• Keeping tortoises and turtles as pets; health and hygiene

• Tropical tortoise maintenance

• Temperate tortoise maintenance

• Freshwater turtle maintenance

• Hibernation of temperate species

• Practical nutrition

• Artificial lighting and heating systems

• Practical design of tortoise accommodation

• Practical design of turtle accommodation

• Disease prevention in captive collections

• Disease recognition and treatment protocols

This course is highly recommended for keepers of all levels.

Full details are available at www.ttinstitute.co.uk