Aquarium Looking for Volunteers to Track Terrapins — an At-Risk Species in Connecticut

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The Maritime Aquarium is currently seeking volunteers to join its Terrapin Tracking Team to protect Northern Diamondback Terrapins, a species of concern in the State of Connecticut.

Virtual training sessions will be held on Tuesday, March 28, and Monday, April 3 at 7 p.m. for those interested in joining the team.

— an announcement from The Maritime Aquarium

Photo by Marlene Genovese on Upsplash.com

A very young, very small Diamondback Terrapin found in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. (Photo published October 2020)

“As a species of concern in Connecticut, Northern Diamondback Terrapins population is considered low and at risk without human intervention,” said Tom Naiman, vice president of education at the aquarium.

“Community scientists who join our Terrapin Tracking Team will play a critical role is monitoring our local population, which will inform scientists who study local ecosystems,” Naiman said.

These terrapins can be found in the brackish water off the coast. Often they must cross roadways to reach their nesting sites in marshes and dunes. This puts them at an increased risk for car strikes leading up to and through mating season which peaks in June and July.

Photo by Ray Hennessey on Upsplash.com

A Diamondback Terrapin traversing ground in Absecon, New Jersey

In the Aquarium’s virtual training sessions, volunteers will learn how to collect data and monitor roadways for mortalities. After the training, volunteers will be assigned a roadway to monitor weekly through August.

The programs are free to attend. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by a trained adult to participate.

For more info, visit this Web page on the Maritime Aquarium site.

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