Difference between revisions of "Snapping turtle research team"

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In conjunction with many generous private volunteers, several local Connecticut organizations including [http://www.opp.org/ Our Piece of the Pie] and [http://www.riverfront.org/ Riverfront Recapture] as well as the [http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ National Geographic Society], I worked this summer with ten high school students on a snapping turtle ecology project. The primary goal was to allow these young teenagers growing up in urban Hartford, CT access to nature, science and career options they might not otherwise be exposed to.  
 
In conjunction with many generous private volunteers, several local Connecticut organizations including [http://www.opp.org/ Our Piece of the Pie] and [http://www.riverfront.org/ Riverfront Recapture] as well as the [http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ National Geographic Society], I worked this summer with ten high school students on a snapping turtle ecology project. The primary goal was to allow these young teenagers growing up in urban Hartford, CT access to nature, science and career options they might not otherwise be exposed to.  
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''The first phase'' of the project included a study of nest protector devices that was designed to keep out large mammalian predators.  
 
''The first phase'' of the project included a study of nest protector devices that was designed to keep out large mammalian predators.  
 
''The second phase'' involved trapping snappers and outfitting them with National Geographic's CritterCam. We successfully deployed (and retrieved!) the CritterCam four times. This is no small feat since these turtles are notorious for burrowing through weed-choked muck and underwater log jams!
 
 
{{#ev:youtube|OEN1WhzQoSc}}
 
{{#ev:youtube|OEN1WhzQoSc}}
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''The second phase'' involved trapping snappers and outfitting them with National Geographic's CritterCam. We successfully deployed (and retrieved!) the CritterCam four times.
 
[[Image:HartfordCourant1.jpg|right|frame|Tobias frees "Jawless" a 39 pound snapping turtle from the net. Photo credit: Hartford Courant]]
 
[[Image:HartfordCourant1.jpg|right|frame|Tobias frees "Jawless" a 39 pound snapping turtle from the net. Photo credit: Hartford Courant]]
  

Revision as of 00:04, 29 September 2008

Snapping turtle ecology:

Turtle research team graduation.JPG

Snapperdesignsmall.jpg
"Jawless" gets ready to film Wethersfield Cove, Connecticut River with National Geographic's CritterCam. July 15th, 2008 Photo credit: Hartford Courant


In conjunction with many generous private volunteers, several local Connecticut organizations including Our Piece of the Pie and Riverfront Recapture as well as the National Geographic Society, I worked this summer with ten high school students on a snapping turtle ecology project. The primary goal was to allow these young teenagers growing up in urban Hartford, CT access to nature, science and career options they might not otherwise be exposed to.

Babysnappingturtleyawn.jpg


The first phase of the project included a study of nest protector devices that was designed to keep out large mammalian predators. {{#ev:youtube|OEN1WhzQoSc}} The second phase involved trapping snappers and outfitting them with National Geographic's CritterCam. We successfully deployed (and retrieved!) the CritterCam four times.

Tobias frees "Jawless" a 39 pound snapping turtle from the net. Photo credit: Hartford Courant


July 15th 2008: We successfully deployed the CritterCam on a monster snapper weighing 39 pounds in Wethersfield Cove off the Connecticut River. The local media covered the event: Hartford Courant article, video & photogallery. Channel 3 news also ran a story.

July 21st editorial: Hartford Courant editorial

July 25th: Turtle's eye view: news report on footage from the maiden voyage of the CritterCam on a snapping turtle: Channel 3 news video clip and Raw footage from the CritterCam mounted to "Jawless", the monster snapper from Wethersfield Cove, CT

{{#ev:youtube|EM2yj1_vBDE}}
Lafayette the 16 pounder from Wethersfield Cove
Snippy the Snapper from Shenipsit. Photo credit: Fred Bird

August 5th: Snippy the 24 pound Shenipsit Lake snapping turtle takes the crittercam for a spin... Channel 8 news video clip Several ABC news affiliates ran a piece produced by Channel 30 news

August 7th: The 2008 snapping turtle research team graduates! Channel 61 news video clip

August 12th: Reminder News story with pictures.

September 3rd WTNH Channel 8 news link to Snippy footage.

September 8th The nest we protected hatched babies!




back to Tobias' research page