We are The Alligator Snapping Turtle Foundation located in LaPlace, Louisiana. We are a nonprofit organization that is determined to significantly increase the population of the alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys Temmincki, in southeastern Louisiana. To accomplish this we need your help.

In LaPlace, there is a company named the Cajun Pride Swamp Tours, which owns a couple of hundred acres of cypress and tupelo swamp in the Lake Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area that is used for swamp tours. Being a wildlife refuge, this land is closed to trespassing, hunting and fishing. There is a 75-yard pond on this land that we are interested in stocking with nine adult alligator snapping turtles, -- six females and three males -- for breeding and release of their offspring into the protected swamp and bayous. These turtles are a threatened species and are in need of protection. We have adult turtles ready to be released into the pond. We currently need a 6-foot chain link fence around the pond with 2 feet of the fence buried in the ground, so we that do not lose our breeders. This fence would be a diameter of about 115 feet around the pond so the turtles can lay their eggs in the ground. We will also release a few box turtles, and if possible, with the help and permission of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, release a few gopher turtles inside the fence. This will be a nonprofit project, strictly for the conservation of the alligator snapping turtles and hopefully for the box and gopher turltles as well. The offspring will be released back into the wild. With six females laying between 30 - 50 eggs, we are looking at possibly 250 eggs a year. We will lose some eggs, but we are looking at releasing approximately 150 - 200 live alligator snapping turtles a year. We are also looking at purchasing a two lot piece of property, side by side, both 70’ x 120’, on Peavine Road in LaPlace. Here we would build another alligator snapping turtle breeding pond. The Cajun Pride Swamp Tours donated the use of their pond and land. We are looking for any party interested in helping to fund this turtle conservation project. Any monetary contribution of any size will be greatly appreciated. A plaque will be posted at the ponds with information about the turtles and recognition of all contributors. Please contact me with any questions, concerns, interests, or if you are unable to help. We also have a certified letter of approval from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries allowing us to go ahead with this conservation project.

This conservation project meets several of the criteria required for approval of conservation grants/contributions. They are as follows: The alligator snapping turtle is threatened from over harvesting for human food consumption, and their habitat is being lost to land development. I can demonstrate the expertise required to carry out this project with herpetology experience learned from working at Buck's Reptile Farm in LaPlace, Louisiana and with the help of Jeff Boundy, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Herpetologist and Curtis Kennedy who breeds alligator snapping turtles for a living. This project is in a region of conservation priority, being located in the protected wetlands of the Maurepas Swamp. The project results will be measurable and recorded by the number of hatchling releases. We will demonstrate fiscal accountability by having a document of spent funds viewable to all interested parties. This project will impact the environment and conservation audiences in a positive manner. It will strengthen networks of wildlife conservationists, increase population numbers for this threatened species in their natural habitat, boost public awareness for the alligator snapping turtle and its habitat, and build local capacity for wildlife conservation. We will issue progress reports as needed/requested. The time frame for this project is stated that digging the ponds deeper, construction of the fence, and release of breeding adults into the ponds will begin as soon as funds are available and should not take any longer than three months to accomplish. The property on Peavine Road will be purchased and construction of the second breeding pond will also begin as soon as funds are available. The duration of this project will be on going. We are part of a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization (Federal Tax ID available on request). All donations are tax deductible.

Thank you for your support.

Alligator Snapping Turtle Foundation
donations@astfoundation.org