FAQ

Turtle Island protects some of the world’s most endangered and overlooked turtle and tortoise species. Our motto— Rescue. Research. Rewild. —reflects the heart of our mission. We rescue threatened turtles from illegal trade and habitat loss, conduct critical research to improve their health, care, and environments, and ultimately rewild them into safe, restored habitats. A central focus of our work is supporting endangered and critically endangered species by establishing carefully managed breeding groups, refining successful breeding protocols, and producing as many healthy offspring as possible to help rebuild wild populations. This work is guided by our ongoing genetic research, which is essential for maintaining genetic diversity, informing conservation breeding decisions, and ensuring that rewilded populations are resilient and viable over the long term.

We currently lead 10 international projects focused on habitat restoration and active rewilding. We are home to the largest and most diverse living turtle collection on Earth, where we have achieved numerous world-first breeding successes. Maintaining these assurance colonies is critical. Without them, many species would vanish forever, leaving no individuals to rewild back into the wild. Our work ensures that future generations of turtles, and the ecosystems that depend on them, have a fighting chance of survival.

Most turtle-focused organizations focus primarily on sea turtles. While that work is important, it leaves hundreds of other threatened species without the support they urgently need.

Turtle Island is home to the largest and most diverse living collection of turtles and tortoises on Earth. We maintain and protect breeding groups of critically endangered species and lead rewilding projects to return them to their native habitats.

By donating to Turtle Island, you are helping more turtle species than through almost any other organization, from tiny, overlooked freshwater turtles to giant tortoises on the brink of extinction. Your support directly sustains over 3,000 turtles and tortoises in our care and helps ensure their future in the wild.

Out of more than 300 species and subspecies of turtles and tortoises worldwide, only 7 are sea turtles. While sea turtles are important and face many threats, they receive the vast majority of global attention and conservation funding. Countless other turtle and tortoise species—many of them far more endangered—are overlooked and underfunded.

At Turtle Island, we focus on the species that often slip through the cracks. These freshwater turtles and tortoises are just as vital to their ecosystems, yet many are on the brink of extinction without the resources or public awareness to protect them. By concentrating our efforts here, we fill a critical gap in global turtle conservation and ensure that these equally deserving species have a chance of survival.

At Turtle Island, your donation directly supports our conservation work. Your generosity helps us provide:

• Feeding and daily care for over 3,000 turtles and tortoises
• Veterinary treatment and preventive health care
• Maintenance of habitats and facilities
• Conservation research and breeding programs
• Rewilding projects that return turtles to their native habitats

Caring for so many endangered animals is resource-intensive, and every gift—large or small—makes a meaningful difference.

Turtle Island is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States (Tax ID: 83-1706767), and your donations are tax-deductible. We are also a registered donation-beneficiary organization in Austria (Reg. No. NT3539), where donations are tax-deductible under § 4a EStG. You may also choose to designate your gift for a specific project. Visit our Projects Page to explore our key conservation initiatives.

Our main conservation center is located in Graz, Austria. Turtle Island is a scientifically managed Category A zoo focused on conservation breeding and research. To best maintain the animals’ peace and the quality of our work, Turtle Island is not open to the public. However, if you are in the area and would like to visit, please contact us directly at office@turtle-island.org —we may be able to arrange a private tour.

In the long term, we plan to merge our sites into a facility that will include a public viewing area, but this will take time and funding. You can stay updated on our progress by signing up for our newsletter.

Our U.S. home office is located in Atlanta, Georgia, with a trusted partner office in Pueblo, Colorado. Both locations are secure and fully equipped to safely process mail and donations.

We are deeply grateful to our monthly supporters. Their steady contributions provide reliable care for our turtles year-round.

Year-end tax statements are sent between January and March each year. If you need yours earlier or by a specific date, please email us at office@turtle-island.org, and we will prioritize getting it to you.

Tortoises are wild animals with very specific environmental needs. Their care varies depending on the species, but the following guidelines are most relevant for tortoises in the genus Testudo. Always research the exact requirements of your tortoise species. It is also important to remember that tortoises are a long-term commitment. Before getting one, make sure you are ready to provide the space, diet, and veterinary care they need for life.

Housing:

• Outdoor housing is best. Whenever possible, tortoises should live outdoors in a secure, sunny, and structured enclosure.
• Size: At least 10 m² (108 ft²) per tortoise.
• Safety: Fences must include over- and under-dig protection. Tortoises climb better than most people expect!
• Shelter: Provide a weatherproof shelter (e.g., cold frame, cave, or insulated hide) for protection from wind, rain, and temperature extremes.
• Environment: A varied, natural setup (similar to this tortoise species natural habitat) with plants, stones, soil, sand, grass, and hiding spots encourages natural behavior.

Indoor housing may be necessary depending on your climate, the age of the tortoise, or during hibernation. Indoor enclosures must include:

• A high-quality UVB lamp
• A heat source (basking lamp or ceramic emitter)
• Sufficient space (terrariums are not suitable for adult tortoises).

Diet:

• Daily food: Fresh wild plants such as dandelions, plantain, clover, mallow, yarrow, and ground elder.
• If wild plants are unavailable, organic lettuces such as endive, radicchio, kale, dandelion greens, collard greens or lamb’s lettuce will suffice. To learn more about tortoise diet, read our recommendations.
• Supplements: Provide cuttlebone regularly as a calcium source.
• Water: Always supply fresh drinking water.

Hibernation:
Some species of tortoise (Greek, Hermann, Russian, Desert, etc.) naturally hibernate/brumate when temperatures and daylight decrease in autumn. Before hibernation:

• Veterinary exam: Ensure your tortoise is healthy enough.
• Fasting: Stop feeding several weeks beforehand.
• Monitoring: Weigh weekly to confirm weight loss is within a safe range.

Hibernation methods:

• In a refrigerator with moist substrate (soil with leaves).
• In a frost-free cellar that maintains a steady, cool temperature.

Recommended hibernation temperatures vary greatly between species, so be sure to correctly identify your tortoise and follow the appropriate care guidelines. Please visit our hibernation page for more information.

Veterinary Care

• Routine fecal exams for parasites.
• Annual pre-hibernation check-up (general condition, weight, and X-rays if needed).
• Always use a reptile-experienced veterinarian.

Turtle Island is a scientifically managed Category A zoo focused on conservation breeding and research of highly endangered turtle and tortoise species. We receive many inquiries each day about pet care, feeding, and health. Please visit our information pages on tortoise care, including topics such as diet and hibernation.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide large-scale free consultations. However, in individual cases and subject to availability, our specialists can offer personal consultations in exchange for a reasonable donation to support our work.

As a guideline, the minimum donation is $175, depending on the scope of the inquiry. If you are interested, please contact us by email. Thank you for your understanding!

First, make sure the tortoise is safe. If it’s in immediate danger (for example, crossing a busy road), carefully move it to a safe spot nearby, always keeping it pointed in the same direction it was heading.

• If it’s a native wild species: The best thing you can do is leave it in its natural habitat. Wild tortoises play an important role in their ecosystems and should not be taken from the wild.
• If it appears to be a lost pet: (for example, a species not native to your region), contact a local reptile rescue, animal shelter, or wildlife rehabilitation center for guidance.

Do not release non-native tortoises into the wild, as they may harm native species or spread disease.

Invasive species are animals or plants introduced by humans that can outcompete or displace native species. For turtles, the most common invasive species include:

• Red-eared slider
• Yellow-bellied slider

Turtle Island is not authorized to accept invasive species. Never release non-native turtles or tortoises into the wild, as they may harm native species or spread disease. Read more about the impact of invasive turtle species on the environment here.

Turtle Island is an officially recognized shelter for freshwater and terrestrial tortoises. However, we can only accept private surrenders if space is available in our Graz, Austria location. This means there may be waiting periods or intake stops.

Due to rising costs, part of the quarantine expenses for new arrivals will be billed to the previous owner (about one-third of the actual cost). Turtle Island covers the remaining two-thirds.

Turtle Island is a breeding and conservation center for endangered turtles, and we do not sell turtles. Our animals are not for sale. Most of our offspring are sent to conservation projects in their native countries or to zoological institutions that support our mission.

In rare cases, we may place animals with experienced and qualified private keepers. If you are interested, please email us at office@turtle-island.org.

Yes! Currently, our shelter has several tortoises and non-invasive aquatic turtles for which are in need of species-appropriate homes. An adoption fee applies as a contribution to support our shelter animals. If you are interested, please contact us so that we can verify your suitability as a keeper.

If you are not located near Graz, Austria, you can still help by making a symbolic adoption through our Adopt a Turtle program. This supports the specialized care of our animals and our global conservation work.

For press inquiries, please see our website’s dedicated press section with contacts and materials.

Turtle Island is funded 100% through donations, grants, and volunteer help. There are many ways to get involved:

• Make a one-time or monthly donation on our website.
• Sponsor a turtle or tortoise through our Adopt a turtle program
• Purchase necessary turtle care items from our Amazon Wishlist.
• Purchase some of our Turtle Island merchandise on Zazzle.
• Donate goods or volunteer your time

For supporters in the USA, you can also mail a check to 2041 Starfire Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30345-3961 or send us an email at office@turtle-island.org to arrange a donation over the phone.  

For supporters outside of the USA, please donate via our website and read about all the ways to get involved.

Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Our newsletter comes by email once per month and includes:

• Updates on our current projects
• An adorable photo of the hatchling of the month 🐢
• New scientific findings
• Special merchandise promotions and events

You can also view our full newsletter archive anytime.

Yes, absolutely! Turtle Island thrives thanks to dedicated people who invest their time and energy into protecting endangered turtles.

Do you have any special skills that you feel could help Turtle Island? Volunteering opportunities, depending on needs, include but are not limited to:

• Enclosure construction and maintenance
• Animal Husbandry (with training; long-term commitment required).
• Transport and logistics
• Creative work (photography, design, social media)
• Fundraising, translations, or administrative help
• Collecting dandelions or other food items.

If you’d like to help, please email office@turtle-island.org with a short description of your skills, interests, and availability.