Komodo Attack

A Komodo dragon bit a Komodo Island park ranger on the foot; it had apparently been chasing a monkey. This report doesn't say why or how it turned on the ranger.

[Update: a little more information on the attack here, but several details still missing.]

Smugglers & Poachers

Three people were arrested for trying to smuggle geckos out of New Zealand. (News source.)

Six people were arrested in South Africa for trading in leopard tortoises. (News source.)

Croc News

A Frenchman and Burundi resident is trying to hunt down Gustave, that country's infamous killer crocodile. (News source.)

A Uganda minister is trying to make it legal for residents to kill (and eat) crocodiles, which are a constant danger in that country. (News source.)

Mugger crocs in Iran are seriously on the decline due to poaching and habitat loss. (News source.)

A well-known large American crocodile, Wilma, on Sanibel, has been found dead. (News source.)

Giant Salamanders

An interesting BBC news article on giant salamanders in Japan, here.

Herp Conservation Notes

A new hibernaculum was created for some relocated fox snakes in Illinois. (News source.)

Half of a Sussex Co., NJ, bog was acquired for conservation as bog turtle habitat for $1.1 million. Negotiations for the other half are ongoing. (News source.)

Some tuatara conservation research here.

Freshwater crocs are being pushed out of the Northern Territories by saltwater crocs. (News source.)

Galapagos Tortoise Rediscovered in Captivity

Nine captive Galapagos Island tortoises are descendants of an "extinct" species from Floreana Island, according to new genetic research. (News source.)

Gopher Tortoise Poaching

Someone has killed and eaten at least 13 gopher tortoises in the Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area (Florida). (News source.)

Missouri Turtle Dealer Sentenced

A Missouri turtle farmer was sentenced for shipping native and endangered species without permit to Japan. (News source.)

Crocodilians in the News

35 pure Siamese crocodiles were found among a larger group of rescued crocs in Cambodia. These will be used to help in the conservation of this endangered species. (News source.)

A profile here on a Namibian man attacked by a large crocodile.

A Florida man stuck his hands under a car, thinking his dog was under it, and got bit by an alligator. (News source.)

Toads Released

Endangered captive-born Houston toads have been released into the wild by the Houston, TX, Zoo. (News source.)

Amargosa Toad

The USFWS will be reviewing the Amargosa toad, "found only along a 10-mile stretch of the Amargosa River in the Mojave Desert near Beatty, 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas," for inclusion on the Endangered Species list. (News source.)

Arakan Forest Turtles

Wildlife researchers have seen Arakan forest turtles alive in their native habitat for the first time. (News source.)

Lake Erie Water Snakes

There has been a rebound in the endangered Lake Erie water snake, with about 10,000 in the wild. (News source.)

More on Philippine Crocs

A few more details on the reintroduction of young Philippine crocodiles in a lake on Luzon island. (News source.)

Philippine Crocs Released

"50 captive-bred Philippine crocodiles (Crocodylus mindorensis) have been released into the wild in Dicatian Lake, Isabela Province, Luzon Island." (News source.)

Giant Garters

The endangered giant garter snake has been found in San Joaquin County, CA, for the first time in 15 years. (News source.)

Sea Turtle Smuggling

Indonesian police seized 45 poached green sea turtles. (News source.)

Lonesome George Not So Lonesome

The famed Galapagos tortoise has apparently fathered 5 healthy eggs. (News source.)

Prisoners Raise Endangered Frogs

A few prisoners in Washington State are helping to raise endangered Oregon spotted frogs, and are doing a pretty good job at it. (News source.)

Chinese Alligator Success

A group of wild-born Chinese alligators from previously captive adults has been discovered on Chongming Island. (News source.)