Turtle Island 🐢

🌍Earth Day to World Turtle Day Matching Gift Challenge

This Earth Day (April 22) through World Turtle Day (May 23), you have a rare opportunity to help save a species on the brink of extinction. Help us celebrate two holidays that mean so much to us and to the planet by protecting one of its most overlooked species.

The Nubian Flapshell Turtle (Cyclanorbis elegans), Africa’s rarest turtle, was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 2019. Today, it remains Critically Endangered, surviving in remote and unstable regions where habitat loss, hunting, and conflict threaten its future. Very little is known about this species, making urgent research and conservation efforts critical to its survival.

We are launching a new conservation initiative in western Uganda to protect this remarkable species. In partnership with local conservationists, we have established Turtle Island Uganda to begin critical field research, expand community outreach, and support future breeding efforts.

Two passionate supporters have stepped forward to launch a $15,000 Matching Gift Challenge. From April 22 through May 23, every dollar you give will be matched—doubling your impact—until we reach $15,000 to help save this Critically Endangered species.

Your gift today will directly fund:

Field surveys to locate and study remaining turtles
Community outreach to protect the species locally
Develop an assurance colony with the goal of rewilding the species in a secure habitat

Time is critical. Every gift you make between Earth Day and World Turtle Day will be matched, doubling your impact to help save the Nubian Flapshell Turtle. Together, we can give this species a future.

🐢About Turtle Island

Protecting the World’s Most Endangered & Overlooked Turtle and Tortoise Species®

Turtle Island is a nonprofit conservation center and animal shelter dedicated to the urgent mission of rescuing, researching, and rewilding endangered turtles and tortoises from around the world. Specifically, we focus on rescuing turtles from illegal trade activities or imminent danger, conducting conservation genetic research, and implementing conservation breeding programs, with the ultimate goal of reintroducing these turtles into safe habitats.

At Turtle Island, we exist for the turtles that can no longer survive safely in the wild, and for the species that need time, protection, and careful breeding to avoid extinction altogether.

Home to the largest and most diverse turtle collection on earth, Turtle Island stands at the forefront of conservation for these remarkable, often overlooked creatures.

Together, we can Rescue. Research. Rewild.® and build a safer future for endangered turtles worldwide.

See the Difference We're Making:

3,080 turtles currently in our care
>300 distinct taxa of the 360 known worldwide protected in our facilities
178 threatened species receiving life-saving care
3,516 turtle hatchlings brought safely into the world
382 turtles re-homed into secure environments
10 International projects committed to conservation worldwide

Our Mission:

To save turtles & tortoises from extinction through acute rescue, care, research, breeding, and rewilding.

Our Objectives:

Protect endangered turtles: Focus on species often neglected in conservation, preventing extinction through dedicated care and breeding programs.
Rescue and rehabilitate unwanted and confiscated animals from illegal trade activities, ensuring their health and safety within our conservation center.
Advance conservation genetic research to improve conservation strategies for endangered turtle and tortoise populations.
Maintain conservation breeding programs that strengthen wild populations by establishing stable assurance colonies.
Engage in habitat restoration to prepare protected areas for rewilding, ensuring long-term habitat sustainability.
Lead rewilding and reintroduction efforts, revitalizing natural habitats with turtles from our programs.
Promote awareness through social media, newsletters, and outreach, engaging communities in the importance of turtle conservation.

Donate with Confidence

Turtle Island is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and your donation is tax-deductible, governed by U.S. tax laws (Tax ID number: 83-1706767). In Austria, donations to Turtle Island from companies (§ 4a para. 2 no. 3 EstG, NT3539) and private individuals are tax-deductible as business expenses or as part of the employee tax assessment.

We are honored to have received the highest recognition: a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and a Platinum Seal of Transparency on Candid GuideStar. This affirms our commitment to transparency, accountability, and life-saving conservation.

Prefer to send a check?
We are happy to accept mailed donations. Please make your check payable to Turtle Island and mail it to:
2041 Starfire Dr.
Atlanta, GA 30345

For more information, visit our website https://turtle-island.org/

Turtle Island

Protecting the World's Most Endangered & Overlooked Turtle and Tortoise Species