Turtle Tally Project Lead: Suzie Simpson

Suzie has worked in the animal sector for over 20 years in various capacities. She became a passionate herpetologist having carried out research in Mauritius with Durrell Wildlife and spending time in Canada as a PhD research assistant looking at species at risk freshwater turtles. Suzie is the FdSc Zoo Husbandry and Management Program Lead at Hadlow College and has been an HE and FE Animal Management lecturer for over 10 years. She has enjoyed sharing her experiences and knowledge with students and feels education is a lifelong practice. Suzie is studying her PhD by Research in Biodiversity Management part time at the University of Kent and works out of the Taso Lab. Her research involves the Turtle Tally UK Citizen Science survey gaining data on distribution and numbers of released pet turtles in the UK. She is also investigating the body condition of both captive and released turtles using welfare assessments. The work has branched out into the impacts of released turtles in the UK and their diet, microbiome linked to health and welfare.

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