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The Mission of the
IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG)
is to identify and document threats to the survival of
all species of tortoises and freshwater turtles,
and to help catalyze conservation action
to ensure that none become extinct
and that sustainable populations of all species
persist in the wild.

Tortoises in the Mist
Galapagos Giant Tortoises, Chelonoidis vicina,
on the rim of Volcan Alcedo, Galápagos, Ecuador.
Photo by Peter C.H. Pritchard

Open Letter from the TFTSG Chair

As the official co-host with the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) of the Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, we have been following the comments and concerns expressed by its participants about the initial inclusion of a speaker who has a history of inappropriate conference language and behavior. The IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG) condemns such behavior, as well as any form of discrimination or harassment based on gender, ethnicity, age, nationality, disability, or sexual orientation. To make it clear that such conduct is unacceptable to the 300+ members of the TFTSG, I as Chair, with the support of the TFTSG Executive Committee, have removed that TFTSG member from his two previous leadership roles in the group. Effective as of this past Monday, 10 Aug 2020, he is no longer a member of the TFTSG Steering Committee or a Regional Vice Chair. We strongly support the decision already made by TSA to disinvite this speaker from presenting at the Symposium. We also strongly support, and will be involved in, the creation of a joint task force to review Symposium policies related to inclusivity and diversity as we go forward. As Chair I have continued the long-established policy within the TFTSG to work toward greater diversity and inclusivity among our members, further strengthening the presence of conservationists from developing nations and female scientists in both the group and in its leadership roles. With the help and support of the TFTSG Executive Committee, I will continue in these efforts, and we will work to further improve our practices and policies to ensure the highest standards of conduct in our field.

Craig Stanford, Chair, TFTSG,
and on behalf of the TFTSG Executive Committee
12 August 2020

Access the latest updates to our massive
CBFTT Monograph Project:

Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises

Published by Chelonian Research Foundation and Turtle Conservancy

112 separate accounts, 1,899 pages total,
146 species and subspecies covered,
and 8 annotated checklists
(7 for modern taxa, 1 for recently extinct taxa),
by 223 contributing authors