Alligator Snapping Turtle Hatchlings at Tishomingo NFH, Sept.2007; photo courtesy of Tishomingo NFH staff

As a cooperative venture between Murray State College, Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery, wildlife management student Luke Pritchard is volunteering with an important research study to understand the growth habits of the imperiled alligator snapping turtle which is being reared at the hatchery.  The research will determine whether the approximately 300 newly hatched turtles thrive best on artificial feed or live fish in an effort to decide how best to rear them for optimum growth before release.  The turtles are divided into separate feeding groups and data is collected weekly by weighing and measuring each turtle.  The study is also providing Luke with invaluable knowledge in his field of fisheries and wildlife and strengthening his list of credentials prior to graduation from Oklahoma State University.  The dedication and willingness of this volunteer is impressive and his service provides quite an asset to the staff of the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery.