The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is a long-lived, charismatic species native to the eastern United States. The eastern box turtle is listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN, and is a listed species of conservation concern in many eastern states due to population declines attributed to habitat loss, disease, and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade. In New York, confiscations and surrenders of illegally held turtles have increased, creating an urgent need for science-backed repatriation protocols that safeguard both the health of confiscated individuals and free-ranging animals. In September 2025, 50 box turtles were recovered from an illegal drop in Staten Island. Medical treatment and temporary care for these animals has been coordinated by a partnership between Cornell University and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

We seek rapid response funding from the Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health’s Catalyzing Conservation Fund to implement best care and repatriation practices for these turtles and build regional capacity for future confiscation events. Specifically, we will (1) establish a controlled quarantine at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine Aquatics facility to ensure biosecure housing and care and, 2) validate and apply a novel multiplex quantitative PCR assay for four key respiratory pathogens in confiscated and free-ranging turtles: Ranavirus, herpesvirus, Mycoplasma, and adenovirus. Diagnostic testing will guide release decisions and minimize disease risk to free-ranging populations.

This project directly translates science into impact by pairing advanced diagnostics with applied wildlife management. In the short term, it will enable the safe repatriation of trafficked turtles into suitable wild habitats. In the long term, it will strengthen diagnostic capacity, support a replicable framework for turtle repatriation, and advance regional efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade, furthering the Center’s mission to ensure a healthy future for wildlife, people, and the planet.