Media Releases
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| For Immediate Release: October 11, 2007 |
Contact: PR Department 803.779.8717x1141 |
[ Archived Releases ] |
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 [Columbia, SC] - On August 23 and 30, four critically endangered Pan’s box turtles were hatched at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. This is the Zoo's second successful breeding of the rare turtle, which is nearly extinct in the wild due to heavy exploitation for the Chinese traditional medicine trade. The first two turtles hatched after 44 days of incubation at 88°F, and the second two turtles hatched after 51 days of incubation at 84°F. The staff monitored incubation temperatures to help insure that both males and females were reproduced. Riverbanks is working with five other North American accredited zoos to establish a self sustaining refugee population for the Pan’s box turtle. The turtles currently live in an off-exhibit outdoor breeding area. The Zoo is now home to 10 Pan’s box turtles and will continue its breeding program for this vanishing species.
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