OUR STORY
From the time he uttered his first word, "turtle", Peter Praschag had declared his devotion to conservation.


Carrying on the work of his father, he has lived and breathed turtles ever since, traveling around the world to share his expertise in the field of herpetology.
Peter has attracted a family of compassionate, brilliant warriors for the cause, together creating four turtle conservation centers in his homeland of Austria, one of which was his childhood home!
When asked about how he maintains his tireless dedication to such an undertaking, Peter responded “From the first moments I can remember until today, my fascination for these ancient animals was so gripping and absorbing that pondering about an alternative path never came up. I know my life on this planet is dedicated to them and their survival.”
Thus, Turtle Island was born.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is simple: save turtles & tortoises from extinction through acute rescue, care, research, breeding, and rewilding.
OUR VISION
Our long term goal is to build a research and conservation zoo to save turtles and inspire humans for generations to come, contributing to the rewilding of our planet.
OUR METHODS
The three pillars of Turtle Island are to rescue, research, and rewild endangered turtles and tortoises.
We combine ex-situ (outside the natural environment) and in-situ (inside the natural environment) research to save turtles and repopulate our planet.
Our ex-situ work mainly consists of caring for turtles, genetic research, and conservation breeding. Our in-situ work takes us around the world to save, study, and repopulate wild turtle species.
OUR FAMILY TREE
This is Turtle Island
OUR FOUNDERS

DR. PETER PRASCHAG
Biologist, Founder
Austria, USA

DR. SHANNON DIRUZZO
Veterinarian, Founder
Austria, USA

DR. REINER PRASCHAG
Architect, Founder
Austria

TORSTEN BLANK
Chair
Austria

DR. ALEXANDER OLEK
Chair
Germany
OUR BOARD

MAURICE RODRIGUEZ
Secretary
USA

TIERNEY SCHIPPER
Treasurer
USA

JESSYKA WENGREEN
Vice Treasurer
USA
OUR BOARD

GREGORY GEORGE
Zoo Exhibit Designer
USA

DR. BRIAN D HORNE
Zoologist
USA

SHARON WHEAT
Retired
USA
OUR BOARD
OUR TEAM

ANITA PFEFFINGER
Administration, Marketing
Austria

ALISA TSCHERKO
Animal Keeper
AUSTRIA

MADELEINE WHEATLEY
Zoologist, Head Keeper
Austria
OUR TEAM

LISA MARSCHNIG
Animal Keeper
Austria

ELENA GAUMBERGER
Animal Keeper
Austria

FRANZ
Volunteer
Austria
OUR TEAM

MONIKA
Volunteer
Austria

HONG DUONG
Volunteer
Vietnam

ANNA GORMAN
Branding + Web Design
USA

COLLABORATION
We love our partners.

DONATE WITH CONFIDENCE
Turtle Island Financials
We are proud to be transparent with you.
SEE WHY YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH US
100% OF EVERY DONATION GOES TO SAVING TURTLES AND TORTOISES FROM EXTINCTION.