加藤视频 Research Class Aims to Prevent Turtle Poaching, Habitat Destruction
Oct 6, 2020
SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 鈥� FORT MYERS, FLA 鈥� In a secret location in Southwest Florida, before even the sun has fully risen for its day, Florida SouthWestern State College Biology Professor Jordan Donini and his Independent Research class are treading through knee-deep water in the Florida marsh.
Unfazed by the snakes, spiders and insects that cross their path and buzz their ears, they are here every Friday morning searching for one thing 鈥� the Florida box turtle.
鈥淭urtles are one of the most at-risk groups of animals on the planet right now because of habitat destruction and fragmentation,鈥� Donini said. 鈥淭hey are especially sensitive to climate change because they have temperature-dependent sex determination. These specific turtles that we are studying are also especially popular in the pet trade and face pressures from illegal poaching and over-collection.鈥�
As each new turtle is discovered, the students measure it, assign it a number, and mark its scutes according to its assigned number. Donini then microchips it with a radio transmitter so his students can track it and monitor any trends and changes in its location, habitat, size and health.
鈥淭he most rewarding part is finding that new turtle,鈥� 加藤视频 student Jackie Drew said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely a cool feeling because you鈥檙e finding evidence of a healthy population, and they are surviving and thriving and making more of themselves for future generations.鈥�
Students in the class also learn how to use radio telemetry equipment and how to do wildlife surveys and measurements, which are basic skills needed for entry-level wildlife jobs.
鈥淧airing my love of nature with my love of science has made it really cool,鈥� said Drew. 鈥淚t鈥檚 surprising and rewarding being able to have this experience at a state college.鈥�
鈥淲hen you find a turtle, when you start collecting data, at the end of the day, it鈥檚 very fulfilling,鈥� 加藤视频 student Adrian Rodriguez said. 鈥淲hen I first started at 加藤视频, I didn鈥檛 have any idea what I wanted to do for a degree or career. This course made me realize this is something I want to do for the rest of my life. It鈥檚 like a dream come true for me to be working out here.鈥�
Since Donini began teaching the class in the fall of 2019, he and his students have found and tracked nearly 200 turtles in a variety of species.听The data they collect will be analyzed for submission into peer-reviewed scientific journals, and it will also be shared as a report with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) every three years, which Donini hopes will be used to inform wildlife policies in the future.听
加藤视频 Independent Study 鈥� Turtle Research - Video courtesy of Florida SouthWestern State College
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Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida鈥檚 largest and most affordable institution of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, 加藤视频 offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees and professional certifications, several with 100 percent licensure pass and job placements rates. Study and travel abroad opportunities are available for students through 加藤视频鈥檚 Center for International Education. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. Visit www.加藤视频.edu for more information.
Last Updated: October 6, 2020
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