Turtle Island
Graz, Austria, with field projects on four continents
Turtle Island: Rescue. Research. Rewild. Led by Dr. Peter Praschag and Dr. Shannon DiRuzzo, DVM.
The need
Turtles and tortoises are among the most threatened animals on Earth. Habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade have pushed many species to the edge. Some now survive in a single river system, like the Flattened Musk Turtle, which survives only in Alabama's Black Warrior River drainage. For species this rare, a secure, genetically managed population in human care can be the last lifeline before extinction.
The project
Turtle Island builds that lifeline. Founded by biologist Peter Praschag and his late father, architect Reiner Praschag, it runs four conservation centers in Austria, breeds threatened species under carefully managed genetics, and works with partners to return animals to the wild.
- Nepal: with ARCO-Nepal, a Turtle Rescue and Conservation Center in Jhapa District working with four threatened species.
- United States: an assurance colony of the Flattened Musk Turtle, with a new breeding facility planned to support future reintroduction in Alabama.
- Worldwide: projects for the Bog Turtle, Eastern Hermann's Tortoise, Golden Coin Turtle, Northern River Terrapin, Nubian Flapshell and more.
Results
- 3,080 turtles and tortoises in care, from 304 species and subspecies (178 threatened).
- 3,516 hatched since 2013 and 12 world first breedings.
- 382 shelter turtles rehomed and nearly 10,000 volunteer hours a year.
- More than 100 scientific publications. (Turtle Island figures, September 2026.)