Scientist, Director, Co-founder of the Okinawa Kame Centre
What We Do
1. Monitor the health of wild populations
We conduct long-term field monitoring to assess the health, genetic diversity, and stability of wild turtle populations, ensuring conservation actions are guided by accurate scientific data.
2. Develop genomic tools to rewild confiscated turtles
We create and apply advanced genomic methods to responsibly rewild turtles rescued from trafficking, helping restore natural populations impacted by smuggling and poaching.
3. Raise awareness about the threats turtles face
We share accessible educational materials and engage directly with the public to raise awareness, inspire advocacy, and promote informed action for turtle conservation.
News & Updates
2025
Oct 22, 2025
We contributed an article about the Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle to the November 2025 issue of "Biological Science: Genetics," in the second part of the turtle special feature, "The Crisis and Conservation of Japan's Freshwater and Terrestrial Turtles." Click here to learn more.
Sept 29, 2025
We received the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. Click here for the press release.
July 13, 2025
May 23, 2025
We discovered an adult Geoemyda japonica on Tokashiki Island where they were thought to be extinct, see post here.
We have launched a citizen science project to coincide with World Turtle Day. Click here for the press release.
May 22, 2025
Bell, director of our organization, talked on the podcast Podcast ”Let’s Talk Conservation”. You can listen to it here.
May 11, 2025
We received a donation from AEON Co., Ltd. through their "Happy Yellow Receipt Campaign."
May 6, 2025
Bell, director of our organization, talked on the podcast "crockast podcast". You can listen to it here.
Feb 6, 2025
Our research proposal entitled “Assessing the population, distribution, and threats to Geoemyda japonica” was selected for funding by the Turtle Conservation Fund and Chelonian Research Foundation
Jan 27, 2025
Bell, director of our organization, talked on the Youtube "The Jayviary". You can listen to it here.
Jan 20, 2025
Bell, director of our organization, talked on the Youtube "birdnerd". You can listen to it here.
Jan 13, 2025
Narukiyo, director of our organization, talked on the Youtube "Kamen Tube". You can watch it here.
2024
Dec 20, 2024
Bell, director of our organization, talked on the podcast "Wild and Unprotected". You can listen to it here.
Nov 21, 2024
Nov 15, 2024
Bell, director of our organization, talked on the podcast "Let's Talk Turtles". You can listen to it here.
"Ryukyu Yamagato Exhibition" in collaboration with Neo Park Okinawa will be held from
December 21st to January 13th. Learn more.
Nov 5, 2024
An article about our organization was published in the Turtle Conservancy newsletter.
Jul 18, 2024
The Panel Exhibition of the Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle will be held on the 1st floor of
the Okinawa Times Building. (Duration: October 8th to 12th, 2024)
Jul 18, 2024
We will be holding a seminar titled "Learn about the endangered the Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle!"
Jul 2, 2024
Jun 14, 2024
Jun 1, 2024
Mar 25, 2024
Turtle Conservancy website published an article about our organization.
Click on the photo to view the article.
the turtles need your support
Turtle Report
We are collecting data on turtles in Okinawa.
If you find a freshwater turtle outdoors, please report to us.
Donation
Donations will be used for survey costs, research costs, and association operating costs.
Media Donation
Times and Skills Donation
Do you have photos or videos of the turtle?
Share them with us by emailing
narukiyo@okinawa-kame.org
They're powerful tools for education and conservation. By sharing your photos and videos, you help us paint a fuller picture of the turtle's world.
Your photos, videos, and stories are invaluable to our mission.
Your contributions may be used in educational materials, research, social media, photo exhibitions, slideshow presentations, websites, and more.
We are looking for someone to work with us as a member of our management team. Remote (domestic and overseas), inexperienced, and for a limited time are OK. Students can also be accepted as interns. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.
Our Supporters
Places to see turtles.
If you know of any other places in Japan or abroad that exhibit Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtles, please let us know!
Illustration By Simon Rouot
Neo Park Okinawa｜Okinawa
Okinawa Zoo & Museum| Okinawa
Habu Museum Park｜Okinawa
iZoo ｜Shizuoka
Nogeyama Zoo｜Kanagawa
Kyoto City Zoo｜Kyoto
Video by Turtle Conservancy
Small Steps. Big Impact. Save the Turtles!
一般社団法人沖縄カメセンター
（非営利型）
General Incorporated Association
Okinawa Kame Centre
Copyright 2025 Okinawa Kame Centre