Galapagos Tortoise Alliance

[Markw84]

We formed the Galapagos Tortoise Alliance (GTA) just over 2 years ago now. We are incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit. We now have 7 locations in 3 states where we are developing assurance colonies to help protect the future of the Galapagos Tortoise and some of the individual pure species we work with. By having different colonies is separate locations, we can better manage the distribution of certain pure species as well as hybrids and ensure no single disaster could wipe out an entire bloodline. Although these gentle giants are a complete pleasure and wonder to work with, keeping them, and giving them the room they need is a costly and time-consuming endeavor. All our directors, who manage populations themselves, are dedicated to this care and totally support their own groups. However, as we progress and undertake research to better understand these magnificent tortoises, we are creating fund-raising opportunities to support these educational and research projects. The TDSD and the blood testing to identify genetics are 2 examples of projects underway now. Another, is the collaboration with Dr Tezak and his work with using blood samples to identify the sex of neonate and young tortoises. We currently have a Facebook page to keep people updated on GTA projects as well as Galapagos topics in general. That is an ongoing work and will be updated regularly. WE also have a website under construction.

Those who wish to help, can now do so with the purchase of T Shirts, Travel Tumblers, or a membership in the GTA. All proceeds go 100% into the GTA fund. I have set up a separate PayPal account that is linked only to the GTA account for accepting funds. So payment by PayPal to this designated account is preferred.

T Shirts area available in sizes Small - 3X. They are $30 which includes shipping.
The Travel Tumbler is a 20 oz metal cup with etched logo. $35 including shipping.
Membership is $40 for a one year.

To order and pay - Scan the QR code in the picture below with your smartphone.
Or, in your paypal account, in send money put in our email - [email protected] (if you select pay "to friend" it saves a 3% PayPal fee charged to GTA)
In a private Conversation with me, provide your name & address for shipping, and if ordering shirts the color and size.

Thank you so much in advance! We look forward to doing so much together.

 

[Big Ron]

We formed the Galapagos Tortoise Alliance (GTA) just over 2 years ago now. We are incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit. We now have 7 locations in 3 states where we are developing assurance colonies to help protect the future of the Galapagos Tortoise and some of the individual pure species we work with. By having different colonies is separate locations, we can better manage the distribution of certain pure species as well as hybrids and ensure no single disaster could wipe out an entire bloodline. Although these gentle giants are a complete pleasure and wonder to work with, keeping them, and giving them the room they need is a costly and time-consuming endeavor. All our directors, who manage populations themselves, are dedicated to this care and totally support their own groups. However, as we progress and undertake research to better understand these magnificent tortoises, we are creating fund-raising opportunities to support these educational and research projects. The TDSD and the blood testing to identify genetics are 2 examples of projects underway now. Another, is the collaboration with Dr Tezak and his work with using blood samples to identify the sex of neonate and young tortoises. We currently have a Facebook page to keep people updated on GTA projects as well as Galapagos topics in general. That is an ongoing work and will be updated regularly. WE also have a website under construction.

Those who wish to help, can now do so with the purchase of T Shirts, Travel Tumblers, or a membership in the GTA. All proceeds go 100% into the GTA fund. I have set up a separate PayPal account that is linked only to the GTA account for accepting funds. So payment by PayPal to this designated account is preferred.

T Shirts area available in sizes Small - 3X. They are $30 which includes shipping.
The Travel Tumbler is a 20 oz metal cup with etched logo. $35 including shipping.
Membership is $40 for a one year.

To order and pay - Scan the QR code in the picture below with your smartphone.
Or, in your paypal account, in send money put in our email - [email protected] (if you select pay "to friend" it saves a 3% PayPal fee charged to GTA)
In a private Conversation with me, provide your name & address for shipping, and if ordering shirts the color and size.

Thank you so much in advance! We look forward to doing so much together.

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What a incredible and noble thing the alliance is doing,I've only been close enough to pet and absorb the peace they just radiate all around them once,i had the chance to kneel down and scratch his neck all around the base by the shell and rub and scratch all the way to his chin and see what i had heard from Sir David Attenborough called the Finch response which is what the torts do when the finches fly around them and land on them,they stretch out there neck as high as they could so the finches could pick the fleas,ticks and dead skin from them and they service the whole tort from the front,under chassis,and the legs all the way to the back door,it was at the Tampa Lowry park zoo with my sons when they were toddlers a life time ago ??

 

[Tom]

What a incredible and noble thing the alliance is doing,I've only been close enough to pet and absorb the peace they just radiate all around them once,i had the chance to kneel down and scratch his neck all around the base by the shell and rub and scratch all the way to his chin and see what i had heard from Sir David Attenborough called the Finch response which is what the torts do when the finches fly around them and land on them,they stretch out there neck as high as they could so the finches could pick the fleas,ticks and dead skin from them and they service the whole tort from the front,under chassis,and the legs all the way to the back door,it was at the Tampa Lowry park zoo with my sons when they were toddlers a life time ago ??

Make that trip again. It will be worth it. The word I use to describe them is magnificent. Magnificent beasts they are.

 

[Markw84]

What a incredible and noble thing the alliance is doing,I've only been close enough to pet and absorb the peace they just radiate all around them once,i had the chance to kneel down and scratch his neck all around the base by the shell and rub and scratch all the way to his chin and see what i had heard from Sir David Attenborough called the Finch response which is what the torts do when the finches fly around them and land on them,they stretch out there neck as high as they could so the finches could pick the fleas,ticks and dead skin from them and they service the whole tort from the front,under chassis,and the legs all the way to the back door,it was at the Tampa Lowry park zoo with my sons when they were toddlers a life time ago ??

Lowry Park has a male founder brought from the Galapagos in 1955 - that is a C vicina. That was the one you probably saw. The other male that they would have had then (and still do) hatched at the San Diego Zoo in 1963 and transferred there. They have since acquired 3 pure C microphyes from the Brownsville (Gladys Porter) Zoo that are now 10 - 12 years old. I agree with @Tom - you should go again since its been so long. You would not regret it and can build a new memory.