Our Ambassadors

Ambassadors play a vital role in connecting the public with the wonders of the natural world. These reptiles and birds, for various reasons, cannot be released back into the wild, but have become invaluable Ambassadors for their species allowing us to share insights about their habits, habitats, abilities, and crucial roles within their ecosystems. Through up-close encounters, TREE’s Ambassadors help bridge the gap between humans and wildlife, fostering a deeper understanding of the delicate balance that sustains our natural world.

If your interested in meeting our Ambassadors you can follow us on social media to see where we will be next. Also, if you want to support our education and outreach programs for our Ambassadors, you can visit the Support page to see what is needed.

Reptile

Vlad

Russian tortoise

Vlad’s journey with TREE began in 2022 when concerned citizens found him wandering in a local neighborhood. Recognizing that he wasn’t a native box turtle, they brought him to TREE. Despite our best efforts to locate his owner, Vlad’s origins remain a mystery, leading us to suspect that he was once a beloved pet illegally released into the wild.

Vlad is a Russian tortoise, a species native to Central Asia known for their hardy nature and distinctive appearance. Did you know that Russian tortoises can live for over 50 years or more in captivity? Their longevity underscores the importance of understanding the lifelong commitment involved in caring for this species.

As an Ambassador, Vlad’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of releasing pets into the wild. Not only is it illegal, but it can also have devastating consequences for the native wildlife and the released animals themselves. Vlad’s resilience and Ambassadorship inspire us to educate others about responsible pet ownership.

Zuri

Sulcata tortoise

At just four years old, Zuri has already captured our hearts with her unique journey. As a Sulcata tortoise, her species originates from the warm, sunny regions of sub-Saharan Africa. To thrive, she needs those warm, dry conditions, exposure to UV light, and a balanced diet to be healthy.

Unfortunately for Zuri, these conditions were not completely met in her early years before she was surrendered to us. This lead to the development of unusual ridges and ‘pyramiding’ in her shell. But that hasn’t stopped Zuri from living her best life here at TREE (and taking naps during picture day!).

Zuri’s ambassadorship serves as a valuable lesson that Sulcata tortoises, like all animals, have specific dietary and environmental requirements that must be met to ensure their health and well-being. Keep an eye out for future events were you can come meet our wonderful Zuri!

Notch

Suclata tortoise

Notch is a magnificent Sulcata tortoise, boasting a weight of 60lbs and a vibrant personality at 14 years old. Did you know that Sulcata tortoises, also known as African spurred tortoises, are the third-largest species of tortoise in the world reaching up to 100lbs?

While Notch’s gentle personality and beautiful demeanor make them highly personable, their ambassadorship centers around serving as a notice to would-be-tortoise owners that buying a pet Sulcata tortoise like Notch is a significant commitment. These gentle giants can live up to 70 years or more, and they require ample space to roam and thrive. As they grow, their needs evolve, and their size and weight make them unsuitable pets for most homes and caregivers. Before considering bringing a tortoise into your home, it’s crucial to research their care requirements thoroughly and understand the lifelong commitment involved.

Aristotle

Greek tortoise

Aristotle joined the TREE family back in the Fall of 2022 after being discovered on a public trail. Initially mistaken for a native Eastern box turtle, this handsome tortoise found himself in need of a little extra TLC and a warm sun-lamp. As a tortoise used to Mediterranean climate, he would have surely suffered had he been left out through the winter.

Greek tortoises are typically sold in the US as pets, and like most other tortoises, live incredibly long lives, up to 125+ years, which makes them a serious commitment.

As an Ambassador, Aristotle’s story serves as a lesson to teach the public about how crucial it is for everyone to learn to distinguish between native turtle and tortoise species and non-native, so if you ever encounter a tortoise like Aristotle in the wild, you know they need to come into care.