
|
How to Subscribe to our
Newsletter
We publish a full colour newsletter
periodically. This is in a new format and includes
detailed articles of interest to all keepers based
upon our original research work. We also feature
articles by other expert keepers and breeders. Newsletter
frequency depends on how many articles are contributed
by members and does vary.
To go direct to our secure online subscription
and renewal system click the button below:
Because of the high cost
of processing low value cheques we now only accept
new subscriptions online. We can
no longer accept postal subscriptions (existing
subscribers may continue to rebew via cheque,
however). We regret that high bank and postal
costs have made this entirely unviable. The only
alternative would have been to increase annual
subscription fees considerably which we felt was
not fair.
There are many tortoise and
turtle societies and clubs, but Tortoise Trust is
different. We have an enviable record of pioneering original
research in this field, and of developing and
publishing methods and information that have quite
literally changed the way people keep chelonia
throughout the world. From the early 1980's onwards,
Tortoise Trust has led the way in the field of tortoise
and turtle husbandry. Our work on diet and disease
prevention, on taxonomy, and on captive breeding
technologies have had a tremendous impact - and to this
day we continue to actively research even better methods
of husbandry. Here are just a few past examples of how
Tortoise Trust has constantly advanced chelonian
knowledge:
- In the 1980's dog food and
other high protein foods were routinely advised for
herbivorous tortoises. We were the very first
organization to thoroughly research this topic, and we
published conclusive evidence that it was highly
damaging.
- Hibernation was a
hit-or-miss, life or death gamble for tens of
thousands of tortoises throughout Europe annually. We
published and distributed, free of charge, the world's
first comprehensive guide to how to manage hibernation
safely. Countless tortoises' lives have been saved as
a result, and to date, over 90,000 copies of this
publication have been given away free to any owner who
asks. Tens of thousands of other caresheets have also
been distributed free to keepers throughout the world.
- Around the same time, it
became apparent that many tortoises were dying under
mysterious circumstances from what appeared to be an
epidemic disease. Again, we were the very first
organization bring this to widespread notice, and we
were the first to warn of the possibility of viral
diseases in tortoises (subsequenty proven true). We
were also the very first to warn against mixing
different species.
- The Tortoise Trust
developed and publicised the entire concept of the
now-popular 'Tortoise Table' method of indoor
husbandry. The first published descriptions of this
(and the first published use of the term) appeared in
the 'Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping & Breeding
Tortoises & Freshwater Turtles" in 1996, based
upon Tortoise Trust original research. Now, the method
is used worldwide.
- The classification of the
Mediterranean Testudo group was seriously
inadequate. We undertook extensive museum and field
research which culminated in exploding the
then-accepted '4-subspecies' myth and showed that in
reality diversity was far greater than anyone had
previously realized. This has had important
implications for conservation and captive breeding.
- The Tortoise Trust was
also the first organization to highlight the major
problems in illegal collecting and exploitation of
tortoises in Morocco and Tunisia.
- The Tortoise Trust
was a founding partner in efforts to save the highly
endangered Egyptian Tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni,
in Egypt. We provide funding and technical support to
this important program.We have worked in both Egypt
and Israel, and have collaborated on and funded
important studies on their natural ecology and diet,
most recently in 2011, in collaboration with the Tisch
Family Zoological Garden in Jerusalem.
- Our dietary and
husbandry research has continued, and we have
subsequently published original new material on how
feeding fruit is damaging to arid habitat species, how
to achieve perfect shell growth in hatchlings, and
upon the importance of microclimates in captivity.
- Our most recent research
has been upon how climate can induce evolutionary
changes in color and form within tortoise populations,
and the implications of this for captive husbandry and
reproduction.
- In 2002 we launched the
world's first comprehensive online education and
training program for keeper's worldwide.The Tortoise
Trust is pledged to continue this record of innovation
and development in the years to come.
- The Tortoise Trust's
original hospital treated many sick and injured
turtles and tortoises each year. You can read more
about the history of hospital by clicking here.
- We launched highly
effective campaigns against UK supermarkets such as
TESCO that are involved in cruelty to turtles in
China.
- We have an on-going
campaign to highlight zoos that provide inadequate
care for chelonia.
- Our rehoming program has
helped find hundreds of tortoises new homes every year
with experienced keepers. It has a well deserved
reputation for
excellence and for placing
the interests of the tortoise first. This
work
continues.
- During 2007 we released
new updates of several publications and highlighted
the problems caused by dealers supplying tortoises
with incorrect care information and unsuitable
vivarium accommodation
- In early 2008 we launched
the Jill Martin Fund for Tortoise Welfare and
Conservation (Registered Charity
number 1123430) to support tortoise welfare and
conservation programs worldwide. This is a major new
initiative that we hope will make a real difference in
years to come
- In 2008 we also highlighted the
dangers of hemp
bedding to tortoises and also uncovered major
problems with
herpes-virus in imported tortoises.
- In autumn 2008 we launched a new
free E-Newsletter
to alert owners to particular weather dangers during
the hibernation period (severe frosts, etc.) and also
released a completely free 24 page full colour care
guide for Mediterranean tortoises.
- In Spring 2009 we held a series of
training workshops, and were involved in several large
seizures and confiscations involving several hundred
tortoises and turtles. Many required intensive
veterinary care. This work continues.
- Over the summer of 2009 we
conducted the most
extensive
tests
of
vivarium
systems
for
tortoises
ever
conducted and highlighted the many failings of
enclosed housing. This was instrumental in getting
dangerous products withdrawn from the market and in
developing advice
to trading standards and animal welfare officers,
hopefully reducing the casualties and suffering caused
to thousands of tortoises as a result of improper
housing.
- In early 2010 we relocated our main
base and office to Southern Spain, which also gives us
easy access to North Africa. We now have active
research projects underway studying wild tortoise
hibernation, diets, estivation, growth, microclimates
and conservation stategies. The new data obtained will
continue to allow us to provide the most accurate,
up-to-date advice available by greatly improving our
understanding of how these animals function in nature.
- In November 2010 we presented breakthough
research
on
shell
deformity "pyramiding" in tortoises, a topic
that has perplexed breeders for decades. We are
confident that this new work clears the way to vastly
improve the heath and welfare of all captive chelonia.
- At the same time we published new
research into the critical role of very
high
fibre diets in tortoises.
- In 2011 we released a comprehensive
update of our classic "Safer
Hibernation & Your Tortoise" Guide with new
sections on refrigerator hibernation and revised
fasting period guidelines.
- In 2012, we began to release some
startling revelations on how heat lamps can affect
health in tortoises, a subject that had been almost
entirely ignored in the literature. Based upon several
years research, and utilising state of the art
thermographic imaging and computer analyses, we
identified several areas of concern that affects every
keeper of captive reptiles who employs artificial
basking sources. In Spring 2012 we also published the
very first recorded observations of true nocturnal
behaviour in wild Testudo graeca - the first
such published observation to appear since the species
was described in 1758.
- In 2014 we continued intensive
research on housing methods and began to develop a
completely new approach to outdoor and indoor housing.
Full details of this will be revealed shortly.
THE
TORTOISE
TRUST NEWSLETTER


|