Welcome to Turtle Island!

Where We Protect the World’s Most Endangered and Overlooked Turtle and Tortoise Species

Turtle Island is a nonprofit conservation center and animal shelter dedicated to the urgent work 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. 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.

See the Difference We're Making:

3,080 turtles currently in our care
289 distinct taxa 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.

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

Every Dollar Counts

Every gift, no matter the size, makes a tangible impact. Each dollar brings us closer to reintroducing more turtles into their natural habitats and enables us to collaborate with local communities and officials to secure a safe future for these incredible creatures.

By becoming a monthly donor, you can make a lasting impact. Your recurring gift will help us care for more turtles and ensure the survival of these species. Larger gifts of $500 or more will go a long way in supporting our turtle care efforts and make a significant dent in our construction fund. These truly transformative gifts will ensure we can continue guarding, discovering, and breeding our world’s most vulnerable reptile.

Your donation doesn’t just help save irreplaceable turtle species, it creates a lasting impact on the future of our planet’s biodiversity. Thank you for standing with us and for turtles everywhere.

Turtle Island

By Turtle Island

Turtle Island

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