Ornate Box Turtle Field Research

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the longest and largest-ever health survey of box turtles in North America, and it’s happening in Illinois’ backyard. The study furthers conservation efforts to save the state-threatened ornate box turtle (one of two species of box turtles in Illinois), which has experienced habitat destruction and sharp population decline due to human encroachment.
Once found in nearly half of the state’s 102 counties, the ornate box turtle now inhabits fewer than 10, researchers believe. Lee County, including the 3,800-acre Nachusa Grasslands, is one of the last remaining homes for the species. This is where, during the first week of May, Dr. Matt Allender, Chicago Zoological Society clinical veterinarian and director of the University of Illinois Wildlife Epidemiology Laboratory, and his team of veterinary students trekked to find as many ornate box turtles as possible.
Their work was made much easier with the help of specially trained Boykin spaniels, fondly called “turtle dogs.” The dogs are owned by John Rucker, who spends his time with his spaniels for turtle conservation.
Website - www.brookfieldzoo.org
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[@AniFam]

The supports form the collaborative group of scientists, doctors, and other specialists are critically important to save Ornate Box Turtles!! I also appreciate the hard working dogs to support the turtles. 🐢🐕‍🦺❣️💯
Thank you for saving the box turtles and sharing this wonderful video! 👍✨
🔆AniFam〽️

[@ez952]

Best thing I've seen all day - thank you dogs and humans alike!

[@callimico5488]

Great work Matt! Thanks for all you do.

[@robertcalamusso1603]

Fabulous
Thx for the hard work.
☮️🇺🇸

[@andrewtippins1727]

Cmon Billy let's hunt us sum turtles with dogs. Bubba hungry. They run so fast. Get er done!

[@andrewtippins1727]

❤