Tortoise conference , Uk
 

HI all

I hope you will all consider attending the event listed below, should be a good day with the speakers lined up so far.


In association with Norfolk Tortoise Club

Welfare Conference
Tortoise Matters
Improving standards for captive chelonian in the UK

Kindly supported by Colchester Zoo
Saturday, 17th November
10.00am till 4.30pm (6 CPD hours)
Location: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Rd, Stanway, Colchester CO30SL
Stuart McArthur B Vet Med MRCVS
Stuart McArthur is one of the UK’s leading authorities on chelonian medicine and author of a number of veterinary books and journals. Stuart will be talking about the medical treatment of tortoises and turtles, illustrating his talk with case studies drawn from his veterinary experience.

Eleanor Tirtasana & Dillon Prest: Eleanor and Dillon organise and run Norfolk Tortoise Club, which has a thriving membership, and are active in working for, and promoting better care of captive tortoises in the UK. They will be introducing Tortoise Welfare UK, and discussing how the living standards of tortoises and turtles can be improved.
Frances Baines MA VetMB MRCVS: Frances is a retired vet and specialist in UVB Light. Frances will be talking about her research into the specific UV light needs of different exotic reptile species.
Henk Zwartepoorte: Henk is the curator of reptiles and amphibians at Rotterdam Zoo and is well known for his work with the Turtle Survival Alliance Europe (TSA Europe) and European Studbook Foundation. Henk will be talking about the importance of maintaining genetic diversity in reptiles, which could be achieved by developing a partnership between zoos and private enthusiasts, thus allowing healthy breeding colonies to be established.

Jane Williams MA BSc MSc: Jane organises and runs Tortoise South East and has been involved in chelonian welfare for over 30 years. Jane will be talking about her experiences in dealing with tortoises and the results of her research into keeping tortoises in Britain.
PC Andrew Long: Andrew is a local Wildlife crime officer, (Zoo Liaison) and has a keen interest in reptiles. Andrew will be giving a presentation on exotic animal crime.
£35 per person
Pre-book only inclusive of refreshments and lunch
For more details or to reserve your place please email:
tortoisewelfareuk@gmail.com or telephone: 01692 402687

hope to see you there.

This has the ingredients of a great event and should appeal to many Tort keepers here in the UK!

In my diary! Thanks

Thanks for posting this Andy

Sounds great and good speakers. Bit too far for me though.

With the recent opening of the Raymond Sawyer Giant Tortoise enclosure at the Colchester Zoo, is there opportunity during the day of the conference for delegates to get a visit to this impressive new enclosure at the Zoo?

Here is the Zoo link for the day.

http://www.colchester-zoo.com/index....526&section=13

and a link to what Paul spoke about, the new "Walking Giants " enclosure

http://www.colchester-zoo.com/index....#37;C2%A7ion=1

Paul, i will get some clarification on this, but as i understand the layout of the Zoo , the conference facility is with the Zoo display area, so once in it maybe? possible to get a quick peep of the new set Display.

I will keep you updated of this when i find out.

Regards Andy (andy1) on behalf of TORTOISEWELFAREUK

Sounds like a great day with some fascinating speakers. Would love to go myself...

Thanks Andy,
Great work, the Conference has the potential for a really super day out.
I am sure, that Henk Zwartepoorte will have much to tell and with the recent News, a fascinating insight into Zoo collaboration in respect of Chelonia conservation efforts:
Rescued ploughshare tortoises start first European breeding programme

Conservationists are launching the first European breeding programme for ploughshare tortoises in an attempt to create a vital safety net population of the Critically Endangered animals.

Ploughshare tortoises are already being kept in captivity in America, where 20 animals are registered within three institutions, but it is the first time that they are being coordinated to form a breeding population in Europe. It follows a boom in the Asian pet trade, where ploughshares are being sold illegally for high prices, raising further concern for the future of the species.

The ploughshare tortoise is one of the most threatened species on the planet and until now, conservation efforts have focused on saving the species in its home range in Madagascar and protecting its native habitat, where Durrell began working with the species in 1986.

To start the European breeding programme, 13 rescued tortoises have been brought to three respected zoological institutions. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey, Chester Zoo and Rotterdam Zoo are each receiving some of the animals, which were part of shipments that were seized by the Hong Kong government in 2009 and 2010.

Matthias Goetz, Head of Durrell’s Herpetology Department, said: “Thankfully the rescued tortoises were given to the Kadoorie Farm and Botanical Garden (KFBG) wild animal rescue centre, which took great care of them and started working with international partners to identify new homes for the animals. Along with the other two European institutions, Durrell is delighted to be receiving some of the tortoises and playing a part in a new captive breeding programme which aims to save these beautiful creatures from extinction.”

Restricted to small fragments of land in the northwest of Madagascar, the tortoise has historically lost much of its habitat to burning for cattle farming. However, the rarity of the species has made it one of the most sought after reptiles in the illegal pet trade, and individuals are able to command high prices in the markets of South East Asia and beyond.

Matthias said: “Sadly, an increasing number of animals have been smuggled out of Madagascar through South Asian countries where more and more have been seized by border authorities. While it has been possible to repatriate some, this is challenging and if the animals have spent time outside of Madagascar there are disease risks to bringing them back. Equally, establishing a viable international breeding programme for the species has been identified as one of the key approaches to ensuring the species’ survival.”

The European breeding programme will now work alongside the one in America and the dedicated conservation actions in Madagascar. However, Dr Gerardo Garcia, Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates for Chester Zoo, stressed that they would have to be patient while waiting for results from the new arrivals.

He explained: “As with all things associated with tortoises, it will take a while before these animals are ready to breed. They are only young and it will take a few years for them to reach maturity. But what is important is that the European breeding programme has now started and in the future, seized ploughshare tortoises will form part of an international safety net population, should the worst happen to the remaining tortoises in Madagascar.”

--

Ploughshare tortoises
The ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) is one of 4 highly threatened Madagascan chelonian species, which also include the radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), flat-tailed tortoise (Pyxis planicauda) and the spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides).

Restricted to the bamboo scrub dry forest of North West Madagascar, the entire known range of the ploughshare is within the Baly Bay National Park. Previously the main threat to the tortoise came through habitat loss and degradation from cattle encroachment and burning. But now the leading cause of their decline is the illegal harvesting for the international pet trade. As one of the rarest tortoises in the world, this species can command high values on the black market.

Durrell leads conservation efforts for the ploughshare tortoise in Madagascar; working with government authorities and international partners to manage and protect their remaining habitat in Baly Bay National Park; local communities to reduce pressures on the species and managing a captive breeding and reintroduction programme which has released 65 animals back to the wild. Earlier in 2012, the first babies of released animals were discovered in the wild showing that the release programme is being successful.

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is an international charity working globally to save species from extinction. Headquartered in Jersey, in*the Channel Islands, Durrell focuses on the most threatened species in the most threatened places.

Durrell’s philosophy emphasises the need for our three core conservation pillars to work together: a wildlife park in Jersey as a centre of animal husbandry and knowledge, disciplined management of conservation programmes in the field and an International Training Centre to build conservation capacity. **Durrell’s belief is that lasting and effective wildlife conservation can be achieved where these three components are in harmony.

Rotterdam Zoo
Wildlife Conservation is one of the three most important aims of Rotterdam Zoo.

Important to note are the 90 breeding programmes for threatened species the zoo is participating in including 10 programmes the zoo is coordinating herself. The educational component in this is of great value.

Worldwide several in situ projects are supported in majority concerning species present in the Rotterdam Zoo collection, namely the in situ/ex situ link.

Rotterdam Zoo represents the European branch of the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA). The TSA is working on a worldwide network of assurance colonies for endangered turtle species.

Rotterdam zoo’s collection holds several endangered freshwater turtle and tortoise species. A large number of these species have been and are still reproduced during the past few decades including a number of Asian freshwater turtle species and* the Madagascar radiated tortoise and the Madagascar spider tortoise.*

Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is a registered conservation charity that supports projects around the world and closer to home in Cheshire. Welcoming 1.4 million visitors a year, it is the largest zoo in the UK; home to 7.000 animals, 400 different species, many of which are endangered.

Chester Zoo is also the driving force behind Act for Wildlife, a wildlife conservation campaign led by Chester Zoo, helping to save endangered species around the world from extinction. www.actforwildlife.org.uk

Paul

Thank you for your support, yes its an exciting time and HENK 'S talk should be very enlightening.

The TSA and some others are doing a great job,

This will be great place to learn and contribute. Make new contacts with people who care .

AND A BIG THANK YOU TO JOHN AT ARCADIA FOR AGREEING TO PROVIDE A PRIZE FOR THE RAFFLE

ANDY

Will Eleanor, be giving an account about her recent trip to Arizona and the content of the conference in the USA?

Yes I will be mentioning my recent Arizona trip and using many images to illustrate some of the great works the Chelonia is doing in the USA. I will be talking about my Arizona/ California trip in more detail at the October meeting of Norfolk Tortoise Club Wed 17th Oct 8pm more details at www.tortoiseclub.org. We are also running a series of workshops on tortoise husbandry and healthcare for people actively working in rehabilatation and related professions. 6CPD hours for both events :-)

There are some great local hotel deals and many of us will be staying over on Friday and Saturday. Hope you like a party! Great opportunity to network and meet more like minded active welfare workers! Why not make a weekend of it! Longest distance attendee is from New York at the moment and confirmed delegate bookings has hit 50 people so this is going to be a big event. Lots of unusual trade stands booked and a to die for silent auction and raffle with prizes donated by sponsors across the UK!

I have my tickets, will take me 2 hours to get there but as I have my daughter (12yrs) coming, I will just drive. Can we go into the zoo to see the torts?

I'm planning on burning my last vacation days for this. I'm looking forward to it.

Any local hotel recomendations?

Just going to be blunt here (being a typical yorkshire gal; you know a penny doesnt hit the floor here and all that) but does the price include being able to have a gander round the zoo? It sounds really good... very tempted.

Not a bad question. I think it was answered in another post but usually the host zoo does allow entry to the establishment during such events.

Okay another question, do we just ring up and reserve then pay when we get there?

P.s thanks Ed, sounds good to me.

Email the person that posted this... note the email address at the end of the post.

Wow this sounds really interesting and is only 5 minutes from my house :)! If anyone wants any recommendations for good hotels or places to eat then let me know as I would be happy to help and give advice :)

EmilyJayne do you know of any good hotels???

Me, Taylor and Ross are thinking of getting a family room somewhere! Any ideas?

Hi Sophie,

It really depends on what sort of money you are wanting to spend! We have a holiday inn which is in a village called Eight Ash Green, just off the A12 and very close to the zoo. I imagine they would do family rooms or something similar. We also have a premier inn on Cowdray Avenue which is good and close to the town centre if you were wanting to go out to eat etc. This also has an ok pub next door which serves the usual pub food. The higher end would be the George Hotel on the high street which is a lovely hotel but much pricier.
I will try and think of some others but they are the main ones I can think of right now :)

Thanks for replying, the cheaper the better for me! Will look into the both the first two thanks :) xx

Good to see that people are preparing to travel in order to attend this Conference. It does have the potential of being a really excellent event.
For those, whom have not seen the talks by Francis Baines on UV and environmental lighting, let me say that you are in for a real treat. Not only does she explain the subject in clear and a highly engaging manner but she also typically incorporates practical displays which show the various products commonly used in the hobby with their relevant merits and applications.
BOOKED YOUR PLACE YET?:razz:

I have sent off the form....

I'll be there :mrgreen:

This should be fun.

Ooo I may attend this myself, sounds really good xxx

This looks like an amazing event! Still a few places left to book.

Elaine

final agenda received last night, It looks to be a good line up for Saturday and for those who are making a weekend of it Saturday night and Sunday sounds interesting too.

I am going!! its a 2hour drive but cant wait

Was going to go on megabus and national express coaches but decided a 9 hour journey was bit too long lol so now going by train, just under 4 hours so not so bad.

See anyone there in the morning if you are going!!! You wont be able to miss me, I'll be the one (prob only one) with a child. Taking my 12yr old daughter.

Excited!

Great meeting which was extremely well attended. It seems, Tortoise welfare UK have gauged the desires of the tortoise keeping community and are offering a very creditable offering.
Well done, to those whom organised this and let's say, you have set the standard for others to follow, or as many hope: Join in!:roll:
National groups should recognise that their tardy and tired attitude needs to change!!;-)

I really enjoyed it, would recommend it to anyone. The speeches by the two owners of the club were interesting. Thought what they had to say was quite refreshing. I think they are trying to push for more open mindedness in the tort community which i think is great. Just one thing to clarify, they are the norfolk tortoise club but they are now expanding to rest of the uk and are renaming themselves as tortoise welfare uk? That would be good because i dont think there is any tortoise clubs/events up north really! I think it was well attended... But majority were from essex/norfolk where ever. I think it would be great if more people from the rest of the uk attended.

Re Meeting
 

Just to say had a grate day and met some rely nice tort keepers this was a rely successful day for all concerned. Keith:grin:

A fantastic event. Well organised with brilliant speakers. Well done to those who organised it. :D