Wood turtle Head STart Project

In collaboration with Zoo New England’s H.A.T.C.H. program, Kestrel raises a pair of rare turtles from hatching each year. We follow special, highly specific protocols for their care, including an only 2 degree temperature range, special kinds of light, tank setup, cleaning, and feeding routines. The idea is for the rare turtles to grow much faster and thus have a much better chance at surviving to breeding age and helping to grow the population, than if they remained in the wild.

At the end of the spring, if our young turtles are thriving, they will be outfitted with transmitters and released into the wild in their native habitat, to be monitored throughout their lives.

We partner with local school groups each year to involve students in the turtles’ care and monitoring, and we custom design grade-appropriate, inquiry based curriculum to deeply engage students in the project. This allows elementary and middle school students to truly help save a species.

2022 School Year - Wood Turtles

Sponsored by Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation.

Read more about Wood turtles and why they’re a Massachusetts species of special concern here:

Zoo New England wood turtle conservation information

Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program wood turtle fact sheet

Our Wood Turtle hatchlings, Loki and Thor, are being raised in the 2022 school year by Kestrel staff and volunteers, and are monitored (and named) by the Ipswich High School Earth and Space Science class. Your school can sign up to get involved in helping with the turtles, while also learning about population ecology, habitats, food and energy, and wildlife conservation work.

Scroll down past photos and videos to see Loki and Thor’s growth spreadsheet, updated live.

Below are some photos and videos of Thor and Loki.

Videos of Kestrel’s 2021-2022 wood turtle head starts