Oldest Living Animal on Record Celebrates Another Birthday!

Earlier this year, a 115-year-old lobster named "Jaws" was released back into the ocean after being caught by a fisherman in Atlantic Canada. Jaws is now the oldest living animal on record, and his birthday is celebrated every year with a huge party attended by local fishermen and marine biologists.

Jaws was originally captured in 1912, making him 115 years old. But according to recent studies, lobsters may actually be able to live for up to 200 years or more! This makes Jaws the oldest living animal on the planet, and his story is an amazing example of the resilience of life.

When Jaws was first caught by the fisherman, he was brought to a local research lab to be studied. Scientists were amazed at how well Jaws was doing for his age, and they decided to release him back into the ocean in honor of his birthday. Every year since then, Jaws' birthday has been celebrated with a huge party attended by locals who appreciate his impressive life span.

Jaws' story is a reminder that no matter how old we get, we can still make a difference in the world. He is a symbol of hope and resilience for everyone who celebrates his birthday each year. Thanks for being an inspiration, Jaws!

Tortoise Population Continues to Decline

It's been a dramatic few years for the tortoise population, with numbers dwindling at an alarming rate. The latest figures show that there are now only around 10,000 tortoises left in the wild, and unless something is done to halt the decline, they could soon be extinct.

The main cause of the decline is thought to be habitat loss, as more and more land is being developed for housing and commercial use. This has led to the tortoises' natural habitats being destroyed, leaving them with nowhere to live or find food.

There have also been reports of poaching, with tortoises being killed for their meat or shells. This is a particularly serious issue as it could lead to the species becoming extinct in just a few short years.

In an effort to save the tortoises, various conservation groups have been working hard to create protected areas and raise awareness of the plight of these animals. They are also working with local communities to help them understand why it's important to protect the tortoises and what they can do to help.

Despite these efforts, the population continues to decline at an alarming rate. If something isn't done soon, it may be too late to save the tortoise from extinction.

Tortoise Trafficking on the Rise

The illegal tortoise trade is on the rise, and with it, the illicit business of trafficking these increasingly valuable animals is becoming more sophisticated.

Tortoises are being snatched from their natural habitats and sold on the black market for their meat, eggs, shells and skins. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has listed the spurred tortoise as a species threatened with extinction, which has increased demand for these animals on the black market.

In recent years there has been a surge in seizures of trafficked tortoises around the world. In 2017, authorities seized more than 2,000 tortoises in eight countries. This is a significant increase from 1,600 tortoises seized over a four-year period from 2013 to 2016. Most of the seizures occur in Africa and Asia, where over 95% of wild-caught turtles and tortoises are exported to dealers and consumers in other parts of the world.

The illegal trade in tortoises is driven by lucrative profits. A single live spur-thighed tortoise can sell for up to $600 on the black market, while a kilogram of its meat can fetch up to $1,200. Tortoise shell can go for as much as $80 per kilogram, while its skin can be sold for up to $300 per kilogram.

Despite efforts by law enforcement agencies to crack down on this illicit trade, it continues to thrive due to the high profits that can be made and relatively low risk of being caught. In addition, there is a wide variety of tortoises available on the black market, making it easy to find one that will meet buyers' needs.

The trafficking of tortoises is a serious global problem that requires concerted efforts by law enforcement agencies and wildlife organisations to stop it. Tortoises are being stolen from their natural habitats and sold on the black market for their meat, eggs, shells and skins

Malnourished Tortoise Found on Side of Road

A malnourished tortoise was found abandoned on the side of a road in Oklahoma earlier this month.

The tortoise, who has been named Lucky, is now being cared for by the Oklahoma City Zoo. Officials say that Lucky is severely malnourished and suffered from a fungal infection.

Zoo spokeswoman Jennifer D'Agostino said that the zoo is hopeful that Lucky will make a full recovery. "He's very weak right now, but we are hopeful he will make a full recovery with proper care," she said.

It is still unclear how Lucky ended up on the side of the road, but officials believe he was likely abandoned by his previous owner. The zoo is asking for any information about who may have owned Lucky in order to help them find out what happened to him.

In the meantime, the zoo is providing Lucky with around-the-clock care and feeding him a special diet to help him regain his health.

Baby Tortoises Born at Sanctuary

A baby tortoise has hatched at the Santa Barbara Zoo, and officials say it's a rare occurrence.

The zoo said Wednesday that a loggerhead tortoise named Spike hatched on May 9th. He's the first of his kind to be born at the zoo in seven years.

Officials say only about 1 in 1,000 eggs laid by loggerhead tortoises hatch. The Santa Barbara Zoo is home to five adult loggerheads.

Spike is being kept in an incubation area until he's big enough to join the other tortoises outside.

Zoo Curator Julie Barnes says the birth of Spike is significant because it could help boost the population of this threatened species.