Project Report
| Oct 28, 2016
A quiet summer
By Nicole Wexler | Director of Development
![These tortoises have their own personal chef!]()
These tortoises have their own personal chef!
Dear Desert Tortoise Supporters,
We last reported on two tiny tortoises that hatched in our breeding group. We are pleased to report that they are thriving – although they won’t grow much bigger as this is the smallest species of tortoise in the world.
Currently, Testudo werneri has a national Israel Red List status of Endangered and in 2003 it qualified globally for listing as Critically Endangered under current IUCN Red List Criteria.
Our breeding group is housed in the Small Animal Exhibit at the Zoo where visitors can learn more about local Israeli species and the Zoo’s effort to protect and conserve them.
Yours, in hope -
Team Tortoise at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
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Aug 2, 2016
Two new arrivals!
By Nicole Wexler | Director of Development
![New arrivals feeding with the group]()
New arrivals feeding with the group
Dear Desert Tortoise Supporters,
We last reported on two eggs in our incubation center – we are very happy to report that both hatched successfully and we now have two more adorable tiny tortoises in our breeding group.
You may recall that Testudo werneri is one of the smallest tortoise species in the Mediterranean region, with a historical distribution in northeastern Egypt, Sinai, and parts of the Negev desert in Israel. Populations in Egypt are already practically extinct due to factors affecting their habitat and collection for the pet trade. Currently, T. werneri has a national Israel Red List status of Endangered and in 2003 it qualified globally for listing as Critically Endangered under current IUCN Red List Criteria.
We continue our breeding efforts in the hope of changing this dire situation in the wild.
Yours, in hope -
Team Tortoise at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
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May 9, 2016
Hoping for breeding success in 2016
By Nicole Wexler | Director of Development
![The very hungry tortoise]()
The very hungry tortoise
Hello Desert Tortoise Supporters!
Breeding efforts for this tiny species of tortoise continue at the Jerusalem Zoo and we are pleased to report that 2 eggs are currently being incubated in our breeding center. Please join us in hoping that they will be viable and that in our next report we will be able to report on two new hatchlings!
We’re also continuing our research efforts to build the knowledge base regarding this rare and little-known species. Research covers possible release sites and whether a viable habitat exists in Israel in which to release these animals; pathogens within our breeding core to ensure that disease is not brought into an ecosystem upon release; and of-course ongoing genetic research to confirm that the individuals in our breeding core are the same sub-species as those found in the wild within the release area (this is such a rare species that very little is known about genetic differences between small populations spread throughout Egypt and Israel). These questions need to be answered before the Israel Nature and Parks Authority will grant us permission to release individuals back into the wild.
Yours, in hope -
Team Tortoise at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
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