Programme

Date

Venue

• Guided Field Trip
• Poster Presentation (Secondary School Students)

12/F & 13/F, 

M+

12/F & 13/F, 

M+

13/F,

M+

Prof. Ricky Spencer  
School of Science

Western Sydney University

Australia

Fixing the Life Cycle: The Future of Turtle Conservation Is Community-Driven

BIO - Professor Ricky Spencer is a Professor of Ecology at Western Sydney University and an internationally recognised expert in freshwater turtle conservation. His research focuses on population dynamics, life-history modelling, habitat restoration, and the application of emerging technologies—including citizen science, environmental DNA, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence—to address biodiversity decline in freshwater systems.

Professor Spencer is the founder and scientific lead of 1 Million Turtles Community Conservation Program and the TurtleSAT, large-scale conservation and citizen-science programs that have generated one of the world’s largest datasets on freshwater turtles. These initiatives engage communities, schools, land managers, and governments to reduce key threats such as nest predation, road mortality, and habitat loss, while delivering measurable conservation outcomes.

His work informs conservation policy, species recovery planning, and environmental management across Australia and the Asia–Pacific region. Professor Spencer is also an award-winning science communicator, known for translating complex ecological research into practical conservation action.

Prof. Tien-Hsi Chen 陳添喜

National Pingtung University of Science and Technology

Taiwan

Facing the Reality: Challenges in Safeguarding Remnant Populations and Population Reestablishment of the Endangered Freshwater Turtles in Taiwan 

BIO - Tien-Hsi Chen, Associate Professor at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, has been active in turtle conservation research since the 1990s. His expertise encompasses zoology, herpetology, ecology, and biodiversity. Tien-Hsi has played critical roles in important projects related to the conservation of native turtles and the management of introduced species. His work includes the reintroduction of the endangered Cuora flavomarginata in Taiwan, population monitoring of both C. flavomarginata and the critically endangered Mauremys mutica, as well as interdisciplinary collaborative research on diseases affecting C. flavomarginata, M. mutica, and the invasive lizard Iguana iguana. In addition, Tien-Hsi is a strong advocate for freshwater turtle conservation, frequently participating in media interviews and delivering public education talks.

Mr. Shahriar Caesar Rahman

Creative Conservation Alliance, Bangladesh

From Doom to Bloom: Holistic and Innovative Approaches for Turtle Reintroduction in Bangladesh

BIO - Shahriar Caesar Rahman, co-founder and CEO of Creative Conservation Alliance, has led ecological and cultural conservation initiatives in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot since 2016. As Regional Vice Chair – South Asia for the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, he pioneered Bangladesh’s first rewilding programme for the critically endangered Asian giant tortoise (Manouria emys), made significant progress in recovering the population of five turtle and tortoise species, and established the country’s first tortoise conservation breeding facility. In recognition of Caesar's significant efforts in wildlife conservation, he received the Future for Nature Award in 2017 and the Whitley Award in 2018.

Location

Description

Since 2018, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong (OPCFHK), in collaboration with Ocean Park, the Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation, and Prof. Sung Yik-Hei of Lingnan University, has been actively breeding the endangered Beale’s eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei). In this field trip, OPCFHK will guide participants through the back-of-house breeding facilities, sharing their success stories in establishing the facility and creating a safety colony of Beale’s eyed turtles.

Sessions

Trainer / Host

B. Best practices for procedures commonly performed on chelonians in the field

Best practices for triage, admission and decision-making for confiscated chelonians

Dr. Paolo Martelli (Director of Veterinary Services, Ocean Park Corporation, Hong Kong)

Dr. Renata Snow (Veterinarian, Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden, Hong Kong)

Dr. Lee Foo Khong, Senior Veterinarian, Ocean Park Hong Kong