More than half of the world鈥檚 330 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises face extinction. Habitat loss and illegal trade鈥攍argely driven by demand from China, specifically for human consumption, traditional medicines, and the pet trade鈥攁re the leading causes of their plight.

To avert the extinction crisis, WCS plans to draws on all of the resources and expertise across the institution, including its Zoos and Aquarium and Global Health and Global Conservation Programs, to take direct responsibility for the continued survival of more than a dozen of the world鈥檚 most endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles.

An article in the profiles WCS鈥檚 efforts to rescue these species. A slideshow of the baby turtles that herpetologists are currently rearing at the Bronx Zoo accompanies the story.