Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Turtle racing involves the public capturing largely wild-caught box turtles (Terrapene spp.) and racing them at standalone events or at races incorporated into larger family events (e.g., festivals). These turtle races are legal in most states because of a lack of regulations and/or funding to enforce regulations that may exist. Moreover, we lack information on the potential effects (e.g., disease transmission, survival, movements, and general health) of races on the turtles that could help support the implementation of regulations. Our objective was to understand the short-term and long-term health and behavioral effects of turtle races on eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). We collected 29 box turtles from a race held in Kentucky. We completed physical exams, including collecting blood samples and oral/cloacal swabs, on each turtle. We quarantined the turtles for two weeks and then, following negative PCR test results for ranavirus (FV3), released 18 turtles (weight > 400 g), with attached transmitters, onto a national wildlife refuge in Kentucky. We also captured eight native box turtles from the same release location and followed the same procedures described above. Since release, we have been tracking turtles weekly and have completed four total health evaluations. We will present preliminary data on health metrics, disease surveillance, movement, and survival.
Assessing the health and behavioral effects of turtle racing on eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina)
Turtle racing involves the public capturing largely wild-caught box turtles (Terrapene spp.) and racing them at standalone events or at races incorporated into larger family events (e.g., festivals). These turtle races are legal in most states because of a lack of regulations and/or funding to enforce regulations that may exist. Moreover, we lack information on the potential effects (e.g., disease transmission, survival, movements, and general health) of races on the turtles that could help support the implementation of regulations. Our objective was to understand the short-term and long-term health and behavioral effects of turtle races on eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). We collected 29 box turtles from a race held in Kentucky. We completed physical exams, including collecting blood samples and oral/cloacal swabs, on each turtle. We quarantined the turtles for two weeks and then, following negative PCR test results for ranavirus (FV3), released 18 turtles (weight > 400 g), with attached transmitters, onto a national wildlife refuge in Kentucky. We also captured eight native box turtles from the same release location and followed the same procedures described above. Since release, we have been tracking turtles weekly and have completed four total health evaluations. We will present preliminary data on health metrics, disease surveillance, movement, and survival.
