GET TO KNOW US

ABOUT TURTLE ISLAND

OUR STORY

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

Peter Praschag child
Batagur baska Peter Praschag

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

SHANNON DIRUZZO DVM

Veterinarian, Founder

Austria, USA

DR. REINER PRASCHAG

Architect, Founder

Austria

Torsten Blanck Turtle Island

TORSTEN BLANK

Chair

Austria

DR. ALEXANDER OLEK

Chair

Germany

OUR BOARD

MAURICE RODRIGUES

Secretary

USA

TIERNEY SCHIPPER

Treasurer

USA

JESSYKA WENGREEN

Vice Treasurer

USA

GREGORY GEORGE

Zoo Exhibit Designer

USA

DR. BRIAN D HORNE

Zoologist

USA

SHARON WHEAT

Retired

USA

Emily Gaylor

EMILY GAYLOR

Director of Development

USA

OUR TEAM

Anita Pfeffinger

ANITA PFEFFINGER

Administration, Marketing

Austria

Alisa Tscherko

ALISA TSCHERKO

Animal Keeper

Austria

Janos Török

JANOS TÖRÖK

Head Keeper

Austria

OUR TEAM

Birgit Doppelhofer

BIRGIT DOPPELHOFER

Animal Keeper

Austria

Sarah Maria Egger

SARAH-MARIA EGGER

Animal Keeper

Austria

MADELEINE WHEATLEY

Zoologist

Austria

OUR TEAM

LISA MARSCHNIG

Animal Keeper

Austria

ELENA GAUMBERGER

Animal Keeper

Austria

FRANZ

Volunteer

Austria

OUR TEAM

MONIKA

Volunteer

Austria

HONG

Volunteer

Vietnam

ANNA

Branding + Web Design

USA

OUR TEAM

Alexandra Philippitsch

ALEXANDRA

Volunteer

Austria

Bonggi R. Ibarrondo

BONGGI

Volunteer

Spain

Felix Fabian

FELIX

Volunteer

Austria

OUR SUPPORTERS

Herbert Becker

HERBERT BECKER

Retired

Germany

Irmi Haeger

IRMI HÄGER

Commercial Clerk

Germany

Richard Gemel

RICHARD GEMEL

Retired Zoologist

Germany

OUR SUPPORTERS

Roland Zirbs

ROLAND ZIRBS

Employee

Austria

Till Ipser

TILL IPSER

Retired Teacher

Austria

Waltraud Pauler

WALTRAUD PAULER

Retired

Germany

OUR SUPPORTERS

Claudia Sommerhalder

CLAUDIA SOMMERHALDER

IT-Administrator

Switzerland

Rupali-Gosh

RUPALI GHOSH

Biologist

Bangladesh

COLLABORATION

We love our partners & corporate sponsorships.

To support our mission of conserving the world’s most endangered and overlooked turtle species, we are continuously expanding our network with international scientific institutions and universities worldwide who share in our passion.

Zoo Praha.

PRAGUE ZOO

NATURE AND LIFE FOUNDATION

AUFFANGSTATION FÜR REPTILIEN MÜNCHEN

Allwetterzoo Münster

ALLWETTERZOO MÜNSTER

LEIBNIZ INSTITUTE FOR ZOO AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH

IUCN

IUCN/SSC

FTTI

FTTI

Zoo Zagreb

ZOO ZAGREB

kandoorie farm und botancial garden

KANDOORIE FARM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN

PRT Switzerland

PRT SWITZERLAND

Vienna University

VIENNA UNIVERSITY

University Graz

UNIVERSITY GRAZ

Turtle Island, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, invites companies to make a meaningful impact through corporate sponsorships. Your organization’s support, whether in the form of monetary donations or goods, can help conserve habitats, preserve biodiversity, and showcase a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. These companies partner with Turtle Island to leave a lasting legacy of corporate leadership in environmental conservation.

Hermes Pharma

HERMES PHARMA

Saubermacher

SAUBERMACHER

Ableitner

ABLEITNER

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.