Dallas Zoo’s Post

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has a goal of protecting our community, whether that be our residents and visitors or pets and wildlife. Turtles have a huge presence in the county especially during nesting season which typically spans from May to October. Nesting ramps up beginning in June, and so does the amount of people spending time on our beautiful beaches. In honor of World Turtle Day, here are some tips that we can do to help keep our turtle population thriving! 🐢 Lights Out Turtles like it dark when they lay their eggs. Beaufort County lighting ordinance states that there shall be no visible light on our beaches May through October. This includes house and porch lighting and absolutely no flashlights of any color! 🐢 Pack In and Pack Out Always take out what you brought in. Make sure to not leave any items behind such as tents, chairs, sand toys, and trash. These left behind items cause obstacles for turtles coming in as well as hatchlings going out. 🐢 Fill in Holes Please fill in any holes that are dug above the high tide line. When hatchlings begin to head out to the ocean, these holes become deadly traps. 🐢 Pick Up Trash Help keep our beaches clean not only to keep them pretty but to also keep our wildlife safe. If sea turtles, or any other ocean animals for that matter, ingest plastic or debris they may become very ill or even die. 🐢 Give The Turtles Space It is illegal to disturb a nesting turtle or the nest itself. If you are lucky enough to see these majestic creatures, please just admire from afar. There are also great sea turtle patrols scattered around the county where you can not only assist the turtles but have professional guidance along the way. 🐢 Do Not Walk In Turtle Tracks Most do not know; you should never walk on turtle tracks that you come across on the beach either early morning or late evening. Patrol teams use these tracks to find nest and protect them. Once the tracks have been seen by the team, a large “X” is placed on the crawl to inform you that this nest has already been found.

🐢🌊 Happy World Turtle Day, mates! 🌏🐢 Today, we're celebrating these shellebrated creatures and their important role in our marine ecosystems. From the majestic sea turtles to the adorable freshwater turtles, these icons deserve our love and protection! 💙🐢 #WorldTurtleDay #SaveTheTurtles #Wildlife 🏖️ Planning a trip to the beach soon? Here are some turtle etiquette tips to keep in mind if you encounter these flippered friends along the shore: Give 'em Space, Mate: If you spot a turtle nesting or basking on the beach, keep your distance and admire from afar. Getting too close can cause stress and disrupt their natural behavior. Lights Out for Nesting: If you're at the beach at night during nesting season, avoid using bright lights or flash photography. Lights can disorient nesting turtles and hatchlings, making it harder for them to find their way to the ocean. Keep it Clean: Help keep our beaches and oceans clean by picking up any trash or litter you see. Plastic bags and other debris can be mistaken for food by turtles, leading to ingestion and harm. Hands Off Policy: Resist the temptation to touch or handle turtles you encounter. They may seem cute and friendly, but remember, they're wild animals and need their space. Report Sick or Injured Turtles: If you come across a turtle in distress, contact local wildlife authorities or a marine rescue organization immediately. They can provide the necessary assistance and care. Let's do our part to protect these ancient mariners and ensure they have a safe and thriving habitat for generations to come. Together, we can make a difference for the turtles! 🐢🌊 #TurtleEtiquette #BeachTrip #MarineConservation #OceanProtection #TurtleLove #EcoFriendly #ConservationEfforts

For World Sea Turtle Day, here is a reposted story of a herculean 1960's / 70's Sea Turtle Translocation effort that was an early part of the Nonsuch Island re-wilding program: https://lnkd.in/eK-KcVdP To date, unfortunately, none of the hatchlings are known to have returned to Nonsuch to nest, in part for reasons that we now better understand. However as part of the ongoing re-wilding effort, we have had many other very successful re-introductions, thanks to Dr. Wingate and Jeremy Madeiros's dedication, (including several Lazarus species once thought extinct), but despite the best of intentions, when #rewilding, there are so many variables, that things do not always go as planned. To assist with #biodiversity and turtle conservation in other ways, our team is now developing a sea grass / turtle grass monitoring platform, and is collaborating on more cost-effective turtle tags for use by other programs around the world...

🦅 This is my Resting Bird Face. Don't forget it!! 😴 Good morning. We are frazzled it's only Wednesday too. Bad hair day? It's ok. We are half way through the week. Time for some feathered fun on this hump day. Let's dive in to some quick peregrine falcon facts! 🐦 Peregrines hunt by soaring high in the sky, searching for prey. Once they find a target, they dive at their prey at incredibly high speeds- up to 200 mph (320 kph). They hit the wing of their prey to knock it out of the sky without harming itself. They have the need for speed! 🐦 While diving , peregrines use a special bone in their nostrils to guide airflow away from the nostrils, preventing the airflow from damaging their lungs. 🐦 From 1970 until 1999, the peregrine falcon was listed as an endangered species in the United States. The pesticide DDT caused the eggs of peregrines and other birds of prey to develop very thin shells, so that they often broke before the chick hatched. By 1975, only 324 pairs of peregrine falcons remained in the United States. Thanks to careful conservation efforts- and the banning of DDT- peregrine populations have rebounded, and they are no longer an endangered species. 🐦 "Peregrine" means "wanderer" and peregrine falcons have one of the longest migrations of any North American bird and are found on every continent except Antarctica. How many frequent flyer miles is that? 🤔 🐦 Grand Canyon is home to an estimated 100 pairs of peregrine falcons, which nest on the thousands of miles of cliffs within the park. 🐦 Grand Canyon Conservancy supports the preservation of birds like the peregrine falcon, california condor & so many other wildlife species that call the Grand Canyon home. 🤝 Support Grand Canyon Wildlife https://bit.ly/3EQMHf2 #WidllifeWednesday 📸 Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Are you a wildlife lover? Do you dream of seeing some of the most amazing animals on the planet? 🙌 Canada is one of the world's best destinations for wildlife encounters, with its vast and diverse landscapes and ecosystems. 🇨🇦 Here are five Canadian wildlife experiences that will blow your mind: - Walk with polar bears in Churchill: Get up close and personal with the majestic kings of the Arctic, as they gather along the Hudson Bay shoreline each autumn. ❄️ (October-November) - See the wolves at the Northern Lights Wildlife Centre: Learn about the fascinating behaviour and ecology of these elusive predators, and watch them play, hunt, and howl in their natural habitat. 🐺 (Year-round) - Search for the spirit bear in the Great Bear Rainforest: Spot the rare and beautiful white-furred black bear, also known as the Kermode bear, in the remote and pristine wilderness of British Columbia. 🐻 (September-October) - Catch the salmon run: Witness one of nature's most incredible spectacles, as millions of salmon return to their spawning grounds, attracting bears, eagles, whales, and more. 🐟 (July-October) - Kayaking with orcas: Paddle alongside the majestic and intelligent killer whales, as they hunt, play, and communicate in the waters of British Columbia and Quebec. 🐳 (June-October) These wildlife experiences are just a sample of the amazing adventures that Canada has to offer. 😍 Which one of these wildlife encounters is your favourite? Or do you have another one to suggest? Let us know in the comments below. 👇 #Canada #Wildlife #PolarBears #Wolves #SpiritBear #Salmon #Orcas

Samuel Davidson-Phillips and Marta Mate recently had quite the unforeseen feline adventure when they got stuck with a flat tyre in Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park. This stunning wilderness borders the iconic Kruger National Park and forms a vital component of the Great Limpopo transboundary landscape. Knowing the area is home to a range of wildlife, from painted dogs to African elephants, the pair quickly got to work. Marta had never changed a tyre before, so she got down and dusty as Sam helped her learn a new skill while dusk settled over the African bush. After dark, creatures of the night stir here... Marta, Systems Coordinator for Limpopo's National Park’s EarthRanger project, and Sam, Peace Parks' Coordinator, had just returned to the safety of the truck when they spotted a magnificent pride of lion who had quietly come to watch the show. What a treat, and a first-time sighting for both of them: two large, collared males and a female just going about their evening – amazing! Limpopo's teams have had the privilege of slowly getting to know their local lions thanks to a collaboration between Peace Parks Foundation, Mozambique’s Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação (ANAC), the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), and the Lion Recovery Fund, which has seen several of these magnificent beasts fitted with satellite tracking collars. This provides data about their behaviour in the park, and forms part of an important long-term monitoring project. Seeing them in real life is, however, something very different and incredibly special. Adventures such as these are why we do what we do. Seeing lion using natural corridors to travel vast distances is a testament to successful conservation efforts that are securing safe habitats for wildlife. Parque Nacional do Limpopo #LimpopoNationalPark #OnSafari #Lions #lifeinthebush #conservation #NatureWithoutBorders #transboundarylandscapes #ConservationAtScale 

🌟 Happy World Migratory Bird Day! 🐦 On this day, we salute the incredible travelers of the bird world. Each year, they embark on arduous journeys, flying thousands of miles, sometimes from as far as the Arctic, to reach their wintering grounds in the southern parts of the Americas. Imagine tiny warblers darting across the Gulf of Mexico or elegant sandhill cranes soaring from the Arctic tundra. These astonishing feats of endurance and navigation are vital for their species' survival. But the real question is, where do these birds rest and refuel during these incredible journeys? National #WildlifeRefuges play a pivotal role. These refuges provide essential stopover and nesting habitats, offering a place to rest, feed, and safely raise their young. Whether it's the globally critical wetlands on the Gulf Coast, the expansive prairies of the Central Flyway, or the migratory corridors of the Pacific Flyway, these protected areas ensure migratory birds find the refuge they need. By safeguarding these habitats, we support the resilience of bird species and maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystems. So, on this #WorldMigratoryBirdDay and during #RefugeWeek, let's celebrate the avian wonders that grace our skies and the refuges that make their remarkable journeys possible. 💬 Share your favorite migratory bird species or your own experiences with these feathered adventurers in the comments below. #BirdMigration #Conservation #WildlifeRefuge #MigratoryBirds U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) U.S. Department of the Interior

🌍 Did you know that the National Wildlife Refuge System is like a passport to explore some of the United States' most diverse ecosystems? 🇺🇸🦋 From coastal wetlands to prairie grasslands, national #wildliferefuges are home to an incredible array of wildlife. 🏞️ Wetlands teem with graceful egrets and mysterious manatees, while prairie grasslands play host to the enchanting pronghorn and the endangered swift fox. 🌊 Coastal refuges protect our shores and provide vital habitat for sea turtles, while lush forests are home to iconic American species like the bald eagle and the red-cockaded woodpecker. 🏜️ Desert landscapes come alive with the clever roadrunner and the enigmatic Gila monster, and Arctic refuges offer a backdrop for the resilient polar bear and the nomadic caribou. 🏝️ Remote islands are a refuge for unique species like the Hawaiian monk seal, and beneath the waves, colorful tropical fish swing amongst intricate coral reefs. This #RefugeWeek, we are celebrating the incredible diversity of wildlife within these remarkable ecosystems. #Biodiversity #Ecosystems #Desert #Tundra #RemoteIslands #Coastal #Boreal #Grasslands #Prairie #Wetlands #wildliferefuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) U.S. Department of the Interior

🐢 Important Reminder: Keep Your Distance from Wild Sea Turtles! 🐢 As sea turtle mating & nesting season is now upon us in the Cayman Islands, it's crucial to remember the importance of giving these magnificent creatures the space they need. Here's why: 🌿 Protecting Natural Behaviour: Disturbing mating or nesting sea turtles can disrupt their natural behaviour and impact their reproductive success. By keeping our distance, we help ensure their population remains healthy and thriving. 🛡️ Reducing Stress: Approaching too closely can cause unnecessary stress to turtles. This stress can lead to unsuccessful mating or cause them to abandon nesting sites, which is detrimental to future populations. 🚫 Legal Consequences: Remember, disturbing sea turtles is not only harmful but also illegal. Local laws protect these endangered species. Report turtle disturbances to our Turtle Hotline 938-NEST (938-6378). 📏 Respect the Wildlife: Maintain a safe distance of 100 feet / 30 meters away from nesting or mating turtles. Use binoculars or zoom lenses for a closer look without intruding on their space. If a turtle approaches you in the water, or you accidentally get too close, calmly and slowly back away so they are not disturbed. 🌊 Spread Awareness: Share this message with friends and family. Educating others about the importance of giving sea turtles their space is vital for their conservation. Let's all do our part to ensure that the sea turtles of the Cayman Islands can mate and nest safely. Together, we can help protect these incredible animals for future generations! #SeaTurtleConservation #RespectWildlife #CaymanIslands #ProtectOurTurtles #NestingSeason #CaymanConservation

Tui De Roy brings us a new selection of images featuring Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles, the smallest and most critically endangered of all sea turtle species. These animals have a remarkable story of resilience centered around Rancho Nuevo Beach in Tamaulipas, Mexico. This stretch of sand serves as the primary nesting ground for the entire species. After a devastating decline in the mid-20th century, the Atlantic Ridley population faced near extinction. Scientists estimate that as many as 40,000 females nested there in a single day in 1947, but over-harvesting of eggs and other threats drastically reduced their numbers. Intensive conservation efforts have become a beacon of hope for these turtles. Thanks to protected nesting beaches, bi-national conservation partnerships (between Mexico and the United States), and the reduction of bycatch in fishing gear, this sea turtle population is slowly but steadily recovering. While many dangers still exist, the increasing population trend and inspiring commitment to their survival offer a brighter future for this charismatic marine reptile. #naturephotography #seaturtle #stockphotography #wildlife