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Conserving Earth: Native ecosystems and the terrapin

A hand holds a small terrapin

Conserving Earth visits with biologists from the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program and Nichols State University about field work they’re doing to protect native ecosystems.  Of particular focus is the diamond-backed terrapin that lives where fresh water meets the sea.  This beautiful turtle was severely hunted in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s for making turtle soup.  Tune in to learn why this terrapin is so important both for the environment and for people.  And what odd political twist caused the popularity of turtle soup to decline and saved this terrapin from extinction.