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

DR. SHANNON DIRUZZO

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 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.