Hello. My name is Chris Tabaka, DVM
I am the staff veterinarian at the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan. I am also a veterinary advisor and a
trustee of the World Chelonian Trust
as well as a
veterinary advisor for the AZA's Chelonian
Taxon Advisory Group. I'm also heavily involved in innumerous aspects of the Turtle Survival Alliance as a
veterinary advisor, point person, and steering committee member. I also
run a small private clinical facility (the Chelonian Critical Care Clinic).
The primary purpose of the following series of pages is turtles and tortoises (NOTE:
the following pages have some dated information. For the most up to date
information on chelonians (turtles and tortoises), please see the
World Chelonian Trust website for a wide
array of medical articles, the internet's most complete photo gallery, and the
largest collection of original care sheets (11-30-03)). The pages
include not only basic husbandry methods and my personal experiences with various species
but also a series of pictures with brief descriptions of the depicted species. The pages
will also include links to numerous sites involving husbandry guidelines, personal
experiences of others, pictures, and nutrition.
Also included in this site are a number of digital pictures showing the day to day
workings of a zoological hospital facility. Also included are a variety of pictures as
well as explanations covering the Memphis Zoo's old Raptor Rehabilitation program and it's
operant conditioning program- these sections were written by dedicated members of the
Memphis Zoo staff.
Turtles and Tortoises
Memphis Zoo Animal Medical
Center
Memphis Zoo Raptor Rehabilitation
Program
Memphis Zoo's Operant Conditioning
Program