Wildlife Jewels Turtles: Wild Turtle Week
Western Pond Turtle at the Newport Bay Conservancy May 23, 2025/ by Azi S. / © Wildlife Jewel
🌿🐢 We love turtles—and we hope you do too. But do you love them enough to love them from afar?
Most turtles trafficked through the illegal pet trade don’t survive the journey. And when a single turtle is taken from the wild, it's not just one life lost—it's a ripple effect that harms entire wild populations for generations.
Turtles play vital roles in their ecosystems, and every turtle taken from the wild is one less guardian of our wetlands, rivers, and shores.
This #WildTurtleWeek, speak up for wild turtles.
📢 Every single turtle counts.
🏞️ Turtles belong in the wild, not in tanks.
🚫 Turtles are not pets—they’re wildlife.
Speak up for turtles during #WildTurtleWeek by reporting wildlife crimes! #NotAPet #EveryTurtleCounts #WildlifeTraffickingAlliance
Western Pond Turtle at the Newport Bay Conservancy May 23, 2025/ by Azi S. / Wildlife Jewel
🐢 World Turtle Day Feature: Western Pond Turtle 🌿
🐢🌍 On this World Turtle Day, say hello to a precious Western Pond Turtle!
A quiet hero of our freshwater ecosystems, the Western Pond Turtle is native to the U.S. West Coast. These remarkable turtles can live up to 50 years in the wild! 🐢🎉
They also show memory, problem-solving skills, and even emotional responses — such as stress when separated from familiar environments.
But sadly, today they are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Why? 💔
🚫 Major threats include:
🏗️ Habitat loss from development
🧪 Pollution in rivers and wetlands
🚗 Road deaths during nesting season
🧤 Illegal pet trade & wildlife trafficking
🍲 Historic harvesting for consumption
🐸 Predation by non-local species (bullfrogs, red-eared sliders)
🌡 Climate change disrupting their habitats
🛡️ Let’s take action:
✅ Protect wetland habitats
✅ Share their story and spread awareness
💚 Every small effort makes a big impact in saving our precious wildlife.
Wildlife Jewels Conservation Collaborators Updates
Wildlife Jewels is proud to announce we have joined the Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery!
Unveiling the Wildlife Jewels Scapolite Chuck the Owl Collection — a special collaboration with San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife! This enchanting capsule features original artwork and designs by Wildlife Jewels® Collections , celebrating Chuck—a majestic Western Screech Owl and beloved wildlife ambassador.
One Week Left to Enter the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition World Penguin Day Art Contest! Dive into the magic of Antarctica and discover how to paint an Adélie Penguin with Wildlife Jewels!
We’re excited to introduce the Wildlife Jewels x Project Wildlife Ambassadors Collection! This artistic collection features enchanting designs, complementary colors, and vibrant prints, all exclusively created by Wildlife Jewels to raise awareness for the majestic Wildlife Ambassadors of San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife — including Hannah the Pygmy Hippo, Brawley the Coyote, and Rita the Raccoon!
Thank you for joining us at the Wildlife Jewels & San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife Art for Wildlife Fundraiser! During this special event, we unveiled our new Wildlife Jewels x Project Wildlife Ambassadors Collection, inspired by Project Wildlife's incredible Wildlife Ambassadors.
Join us for an exciting evening all about wildlife! Meet Wildlife Ambassadors, learn about Project Wildlife’s work and grab some delicious food and drinks at Serpentine Cider!
Hannah’s story has touched our hearts, and we’re thrilled to celebrate her journey by creating a special work of art, “Hannah the Pygmy Hippo’s Dreams”, capturing her beauty and resilience. This piece, along with other designs, will be part of our upcoming Wildlife Jewels® Collections Conservation Capsule dedicated to Hannah.
We recently had the pleasure of visiting San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Project Wildlife Campus and meeting their precious wildlife ambassadors. It was a delight to learn about and photograph the majestic wildlife ambassadors.
Today, we are delighted to celebrate this special World Krill Day through the arts, inspired by the beautiful, fascinating, and science-fiction-like Antarctic Krill. Please join us as we explore and honor these incredible creatures!
We are excited to share a sneak peek of the upcoming launch of Wildlife Jewels Collections Thandi and Zolani conservation capsule collection. This exclusive collection features fine art, decor, and fashion pieces inspired by precious Thandi the Rhino and her calf Zolani, aimed at supporting rhino conservation through shops, education, outreach exhibitions, and more.
Wildlife Jewels® is honored to join the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) as a Coalition Member.
Wildlife Jewels® is a proud new partner of the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, working together to protect wildlife from illegal trade.
Wildlife Jewels is honored to join the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) #NatureForAll!
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Updates
Follow the remarkable rescue of an entangled Brown Pelican at Crystal Cove, from fishing-gear injuries through rehabilitation to his return to the wild.
After weeks of documenting entangled seabirds at Point La Jolla, a precious Brandt’s Cormorant finally became reachable. Meet Azurite and follow her journey from fishing gear entanglement to rescue and a second chance.
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew rescued a Brandt’s Cormorant entangled in fishing gear at La Jolla Cove and transported the bird to wildlife rehabilitation for care.
Wildlife Jewels is searching for Beryl, a recently fledged Western Gull in La Jolla with fishing line and a lure wrapped around her beak. Learn how to report a sighting.
Wildlife Jewels continues monitoring injured harbor seal pup Kyanite at La Jolla's Children's Pool. Giving her space to haul out could provide a chance for rescue.
Wildlife Jewels documented at least 10 entangled cormorants in one day at Point La Jolla. Learn about this growing seabird entanglement crisis and ongoing monitoring efforts.
Wildlife Jewels® documented Blue-Banded Brown Pelican 429 during a Point La Jolla Search Scout survey, helping track the bird's recovery after rehabilitation.
During our EYES field surveys at Children’s Pool, we have continued observing the same injured harbor seal pup since June 28. She has a deep wound near her left shoulder/front flipper and appears to have difficulty moving.
During our EYES Children’s Pool survey yesterday, Wildlife Jewels documented a precious seal pup with a concerning open wound on the left neck/shoulder area.
Wildlife Jewels documented a yearling sea lion badly entangled in fishing line in La Jolla before SeaWorld Rescue successfully rescued her. Learn how discarded fishing gear threatens marine wildlife.
A California Brown Pelican in distress at San Marcos High School was safely rescued through coordinated efforts between Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew, San Diego Humane Society, and SeaWorld Rescue.
Thank you to everyone who attended a recent Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew training session at La Jolla Shores.
🚨 California Brown Pelicans need your help
California Brown Pelicans need your help. A concerning number have recently been found distressed along our coast, and other seabirds, including cormorants, are affected as well.
🚨 ENTANGLED WILDLIFE ALERT — La Jolla Cove 🚨
During our recent EYES wildlife monitoring at La Jolla Cove, we documented two entangled Brandt’s cormorants within ~2 feet of each other—including clearly visible rope/line. 💔
We’ve launched a neighborhood group for the La Jolla community to share local wildlife rescue resources and guidance specific to our coastline.
Last week, Wildlife Jewels hosted a hands-on Rescue Crew training in La Jolla focused on coastal birds. Using props, we practiced responsible response skills—how to recognize signs of distress, coordinate safely, and support bird rescue when professional help is needed.
Introducing the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew (Pilot Program) for Birds | La Jolla Cove and North County San Diego.
Wildlife Jewels® is launching the Rescue Crew (Pilot Program) in La Jolla to support responsible wildlife observation, reporting, and coordination with authorized responders along the Southern California coast.
Meet Jade — a beautiful sea lion who we recently spotted during our EYES La Jolla monitoring, with a severe entanglement around her neck. Thanks to the quick action of San Diego marine mammal responders, the lines were successfully removed, and she’s now healing beautifully.
We encountered this precious sea lion at La Jolla Cove on July 5th. If you see her—or any other entangled sea lions, seals, or seabirds—please report the sighting immediately using our Entangled Wildlife Form and the rescue hotline numbers provided in the link below.
✨ This gull family, lovingly named The Cliffside Crystals, has been monitored by Wildlife Jewels since nest building at La Jolla Children’s Pool. Despite ongoing challenges from human disturbance, both parents and fledglings continue to persevere—shining as a symbol of hope along our coastline.
🆘 Our Precious Gulls Need Your Help!
A devastating illness is suddenly impacting gulls across Southern California, leaving many sick and dying. Every moment counts — we need your help to spot and report distressed gulls before it’s too late.
💔This precious 7-week-old fledgling gull chick— and her devoted parents — have been part of our EYES wildlife monitoring program since the day she hatched.
Celebrating the release of 13 precious California Brown Pelicans who were impacted by the recent, devastating domoic acid poisoning crisis.
We encountered this precious sea lion at La Jolla Cove on July 5th. If you see her—or any other entangled sea lions, seals, or seabirds—please report the sighting immediately using our Entangled Wildlife Form and the rescue hotline numbers provided in the link below.
Wildlife Jewels Wildlife Days Updates
Celebrate World Shorebirds Day with Wildlife Jewels at Crystal Cove State Park and discover Willets, Whimbrels, Black Turnstones, Marbled Godwits, and the coastal habitats shorebirds depend on.
Celebrate California Wildlife Day, National Hummingbird Day, and California Biodiversity Day while raising awareness of the urgent need to protect every individual wild animal and the habitats they depend on.
Discover why Antarctic krill are vital to the Southern Ocean food web and how protecting krill helps penguins, whales, seals, seabirds, and other wildlife.
Celebrate World Seabird Day with Wildlife Jewels and learn how field monitoring, rescue support, and conservation help protect California's remarkable seabirds.
Celebrate World Seabird Day with Wildlife Jewels and learn how field monitoring, rescue support, and conservation help protect California's remarkable seabirds.
Today is World Albatross Day.
Last year, during Southern California’s seabird crisis, Wildlife Jewels had the opportunity to document a precious Laysan Albatross receiving expert care at Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center after potentially suffering from domoic acid poisoning.
Happy World Migratory Bird Day 🕊️💙
This year’s theme, “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter,” reminds us that community observations can play a powerful role in protecting migratory birds.
Happy World Wildlife Day. 🌍🦋🌿
Proclaimed by the United Nations, World Wildlife Day is celebrated every year on March 3 to celebrate wild animals and plants and recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet.
Wildlife Jewels Shine Spotlight of the week!
Meet Opal, a precious Greater Roadrunner we recently had the delight of observing at the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve.
Wildlife Jewels World Wetlands Day Walk: A precious California Brown Pelican at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Wildlife Jewels’s Explore Wildlife Days: Discovering the Majesty of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Unveiling Wildlife Jewels Peach Sapphire the Pelican Collection!