Saving Turtles

Book excerpt: A behind-the-scenes look at a hospital for severely injured turtles. Turtles have been around for 220 million years -- longer than dinosaurs. But now their time might be running out. And their biggest threat is us! There are more than 300 species worldwide and half of these are threatened with extinction. Freshwater, marine and land turtles all face the same threats, whether it is habitat loss, pollution, harvesting by the pet trade or road and fishing fatalities. In this fully illustrated book, veterinarian Dr. Sue Carstairs reveals what steps young readers can take to help turtles that they might find injured at the side of the road or next to waterways. When injured turtles are brought into her hospital needing medical attention, Carstairs describes the amazing behind-the-scenes workings of how she repairs shattered shells, broken jaws and injured skulls, nursing severely injured turtles back to health. Topics covered in Saving Turtles include: A behind-the-scenes look at the medical procedures used to heal injured turtles How eggs are harvested, incubated and hatched Raising and releasing baby turtles Tagging and tracking turtles in the wild Conservation efforts worldwide to save some species from extinction Steps you can take to help turtles survive.