NYCTRC                              

42 School St, PO Box 95

Narrowsburg, NY 12764

 

Phone and fax:  845-252-3501

E-mail:  kathy@nyturtlecenter.org

Website:  nyturtlecenter.org

New York Center for Turtle Rehabilitation and Conservation, Inc.

A private Nonprofit New York State and Federally exempt 501(c)(3) organization established to provide care to injured turtles and promote conservation principles needed to assure the continued survival of native turtle species through:

           medical care and rehabilitation of injured and sick turtles with their return to the wild as            healthy animals,

 

           promoting conservation practices which protect turtle species and their habitats,

 

           conducting research on rehabilitated turtles to determine their long term survivorship,

 

           and providing educational and awareness programs to the public          

 
Text Box: Rehabilitation The New York Center for Turtle Rehabilitation and Conservation, Inc. (NYCTRC) is licensed by the State of New York, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the State of New Jersey as a wildlife rehabilitation facility specializing in turtles and other native reptiles and amphibians. Injured and sick turtles are provided with immediate medical attention at the facility with veterinary services and consultation as necessary. NYCTRC also utilizes the resources of the Wildlife Clinic at the Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine. Following treatment of injuries the animals are cared for at the facility until they are fully recovered, which may require anywhere between four months and a year for turtles. Returning these turtles back to their reproducing populations as healthy, recovered animals is our ultimate goal. Text Box: Conservation NYCTRC promotes conservation of turtle species as well as habitat. The staff attend and participate in conferences conducted by Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), Northeast Natural History Conferences, Eastern Box Turtle Conservation Workshops, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR), Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society and Massachusetts Audubon Society. Research conducted by the organization has resulted in the protection of critical habitat for several species. Text Box: Research Turtles may require a long recovery time due to their slower metabolism and the severity of some of the injuries which they can survive. NYCTRC has been conducting telemetry studies since 1993 of some of the released turtles with disabilities such as a missing eye or limb which could prevent mammals or birds from being released. These turtles have been very successful and have been observed in courtship, mating and nesting activities. NYCTRC works closely with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on research projects and is a partner in research with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Conservation Endangered and Nongame Species Program.

Education and Public Awareness

 

The wildlife biologist and associates at NYCTRC conduct programs on reptiles and amphibians for all ages at schools, nature centers, Audubon meetings and other organizations.  The presentations can be adapted for a particular audience.  The primary rehabilitator, Kathy Michell, who has been licensed for 15 years, also conducts training sessions on turtle rehabilitation and natural history at New York State, National and International Wildlife Rehabilitation Conferences. 

The New York Center for

Turtle Rehabilitation and Conservation, Inc. is a privately operated New York State Non Profit corporation that does not charge for its rehabilitation services.  Funding comes from donations and programs.  All donations are tax deductible.

What to do if you find an injured turtle:

Keep it clean and dry.  Place it in a box with clean newspaper or paper towels on the bottom.  Do not place it in water or put grass in the box.

 

Keep the box covered in a quiet place indoors where no flies can have access to the turtle. 

 

Do not try to flush or wash the injuries.  This could cause more harm. 

 

Call the closest licensed turtle rehabilitator or veterinarian that works with turtles and transport the turtle as soon as possible.  Call NYCTRC at 845-252-3501.

 

If you don’t know of any rehabilitators, call us at 845-252-3501.  We can arrange for transport in most of New York and can assist you in finding rehabilitators in other states.