Staten Island’s Greenbelt Called Home By Eastern Box Turtles: Researchers Talk About Current Search

See below for an interview with Drs. Anna Thonis and Kris Hoffman of NYU and Bark and Code, LLC:

Drs. Anna Thonis and Kristine Hoffman have been exploring the Staten Island Greenbelt, looking for Eastern Box Turtles.  While not an endangered species, they are a species of special concern, and no one has ever really surveyed their populations on Staten Island.  These are the same turtles that they were supposed to look for in the Graniteville Quarry, the finding of which would have prevented their BJ’s project from moving forward.

However, as these researchers discussed, looking for these turtles with humans only is usually a fruitless endeavor.  Specially trained dogs, such as Newt, the Eastern Box Turtle finding dog, are needed in order to increase the chances of finding the turtles.  With a trained dog, researchers can find about ten times more than with just people searching.

Check out our discussion of the evolution of the Greenbelt on Staten Island, which has shrunk in some areas and expanded in others, with an overall loss of natural areas, but many unidentified and privately owned greenspaces have been added to the overall amount of wooded areas on Staten Island. Much of it isn’t protected, however, and is subject to further development.

The scientists shared with us their passion for turtles, reptiles, lizards, and others. They also discussed why it’s important to survey the population of these turtles, especially on Staten Island.

We also discussed some ways local residents can help them.  For example:

• If you see a turtle crossing a road, help him get to the side he was already heading toward.  Do not turn them around or take them elsewhere
• Dogs who aren’t trained to detect them or who have predator instinct can kill turtles very quickly.  They may pierce its shell, which the turtle won’t survive.  Always supervise dogs while walking in wild areas to make sure they don’t hurt one
• They found more than they expected, but anecdotal evidence (local resident testimonies) indicate a significant decline
• If you find one in nature, leave them alone

Banner Image: Video cover. Image Credit – Staten Islander News