@TheTortoiseProj

Journalist and author of Tortoise! (W. W. Norton, July 2027). Exploring the natural world, one tortoise at a time.

 Portland, OR
kevingepford.com
Joined May 2021
  • Tweets1.4K
  • Following261
  • Followers192
398Media
A cover is born! Proud to share a sneak peek of “Tortoise! Journeys With the World’s Most Interesting Reptile.” Four years in the making, Tortoise! is forthcoming from @wwnorton in July 2027.
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was a pleasure to find and write this story for @SmithsonianMag.
Smithsonian Magazine
@SmithsonianMagOct 22
One year after the species was reclassified from “endangered” to “least concern,” green turtles in the western Indian Ocean exemplify that return—and the subtleties a global designation can miss. bit.ly/4zPRvfq

Green Sea Turtles Are Making a Remarkable Comeback on the Remote Aldabra Atoll and Around the...

One year after the species was reclassified from “endangered” to “least concern,” green turtles in the western Indian Ocean exemplify that return—and the subtleties a global designation can miss

smithsonianmag.com
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The good tortoise Jonathan on St. Helena is in the news a lot right now. Several stories, like this one from @smithsonian, include my photos from 2022. smithsonianmag.com/smart-new…

Scientists Took a Cheek Swab From the World's Oldest Tortoise. His DNA Could Reveal Hints to...

Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise, is about 194 years old and the oldest land animal alive today. Discoveries about his genetics could provide clues to extending lifespan in humans

smithsonianmag.com
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Bee orchids I have illustrated in pen and ink over the years, inspired by my encounters with the plants while working on field guides for @kewgardens. I have always loved the diversity of characterful shapes and forms these orchids possess. Once in a while, one smiles back.
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Seen at @strandbookstore in NYC: “A Little Queer Natural History” — U.S. edition of the new book by @JoshLukeDavis from @NHM_London. Can’t wait to read it.
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Hot off the press! My story about the green threat to Galápagos tortoise migration is live. Thanks to @hakaimagazine. hakaimagazine.com/features/t…

The Slow-Motion Destruction of Tortoises’ Slow-Motion Migration | Hakai Magazine

On the Galapagos’ most developed island, researchers are tracking a growing threat to the millennia-old migration routes of giant tortoises.

hakaimagazine.com
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I don't know why this just showed up in my news feed 8 months after it was written. But, it's a great story about the flightless rail of Aldabra. Plus, my friend Julian Hume is nicely quoted herein. @SIF_Seychelles @AldabraSeabirds @NoExtinctions msn.com/en-us/news/world/the…
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If you’re thinking about a visit to the Galápagos Islands, here’s what you can expect from the experience. #Galápagos #ConservationTravel #Adventure usatoday.com/story/travel/de…

Close up and personal with nature: What to expect from visiting the Galapagos

The Galápagos Islands, often referred to as a living museum, are a fascinating archipelago where wildlife seems to reign supreme.

usatoday.com
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On this day in 1835: Charles Darwin reaches the Galapagos Islands aboard the HMS Beagle. #Darwin #Evolution #Galapagos
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Giant tortoises face new threat from proposed resort on one of the few remaining undeveloped islands in Seychelles. theguardian.com/environment/… @iotaseychelles @SIF_Seychelles @ICSSeychelles @NoExtinctions

Giant tortoises in Seychelles face threat from luxury hotel development

Conservationists and botanists express concern over plans for Qatari-funded upscale resort on Assomption Island

theguardian.com
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As crews chainsaw Joshua trees, Mojave Desert community protests solar energy project - Los Angeles Times apple.news/AhbNO3RToQsCI-t8O…

As crews chainsaw Joshua trees, Mojave Desert community protests solar energy project

Mojave town protests solar energy project as crews chainsaw hundreds of protected Joshua trees

apple.news
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This is the first #tortoise story I’ve seen in my home city of Portland. And it’s got a happy ending: The lost tortoise is reunited with its adoring family! #PDX kgw.com/article/life/animals…

Runaway tortoise in Portland found safe after 2 days — a half-mile away from home

While out on patrol, Portland police officers spotted a seemingly unfazed tortoise walking down the middle of a path in Southeast Portland.

kgw.com
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How to get an orangutan for free: Buy massive amounts of palm oil. Is this meant ironically? discoverwildlife.com/animal-…

Opinion: Orangutans to be given as gifts to countries that buy large quantities of palm oil in a...

The Malaysian government has announced it will give orangutans to its trading partners such as the EU, the USA and China, in return for buying large amounts pf palm oil

discoverwildlife.com
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Cats wiped out a flightless New Zealand bird species in one year — in 1895. forbes.com/sites/scotttraver…
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What could go wrong when you relocate a tortoise out of the way of a development project? From Florida comes the sad news is that the move is often fatal for gopher tortoises. wildlife.org/for-translocate…

For translocated Florida tortoises, survival is troublingly low - The Wildlife Society

When building projects affect gopher tortoises in Florida, developers are responsible for moving the reptiles to safer locations. But those moves may not

wildlife.org
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This is one of the most interesting things I've learned in a long time. Nature's ability to adapt should not be underestimated!
Joey Santore@JoeySantore7 Jul 2024
This is insane. A species of Asteraceae (Heterosperma pinnatum) changes what kind of seeds it produces according to local growing conditions. If conditions are lousy, seeds with wind-dispersal structures are produced so the next generation can get the hell out of there.
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Sometimes an arrival into PDX is not just about the volcanoes. It can be about sunsets, too.
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Malaysia makes largest tortoise smuggling bust in 10 years, from “Ninja Turtle Gang.” channelnewsasia.com/asia/mal…
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An Ent wins New Zealand's "Tree of the Year" award. theguardian.com/environment/…

Stride of New Zealand: ancient ‘walking tree’ wins tree of the year

Named due to its resemblance to JRR Tolkien’s sentient tree-like Ents, the 32m tall rātā near Karamea was the clear winner in the annual poll

theguardian.com
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It's finally Friday! Celebrate it with a drink💧
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