“Turtles in Trouble,” which debuted Saturday, showcases the lifelong work of MSU Wildlife Information Specialist Jim Harding, who photographs and researches turtles. The exhibit also includes ceramic sculptures of turtles made by artist Mark Muhich, a friend of Harding’s.
Harding said he first discovered his interest in turtles when one crawled across his driveway when he was 5. Since then, he has studied their declining population.
He said human interference, such as pet trading and habitat destruction, has endangered a species that otherwise would remain sustainable.
“Turtles socially and historically have been held in high esteem because they live long lives,” Harding said. “They live long lives because they reproduce very slowly and most of their eggs are destroyed. But with humans exploiting them at such a high level, they can’t keep up at that level of reproduction.”
The exhibit features various photos taken by Harding and text that explains the possible fate of the turtles. After meeting Muhich, Harding encouraged him to sculpt turtles to help draw attention to the species.
Being an environmentalist, Muhich saw the opportunity to combine art and environmental science.
“I hope that people can be aware and try to do something about it,” Muhich said. “Like I said Saturday at the opening, when I make these turtles there’s a certain point where the turtle says back to me ‘you’ve made me, but what are you doing to prevent me from going extinct?’ I hope whoever views the exhibit asks themselves that same question.”
Zoology and fisheries and wildlife senior Tricia Green Brockman, a member of the MSU Herpetology Club, is looking forward to visiting the exhibit and learning more about the turtles featured.
“Being a (herpetology) lover, I am obviously disturbed by the fast rate of turtle disappearances around the globe,” Brockman said. “They are really susceptible to habitat distraction and human consumption, not to mention all of the problems they are facing due to global warming ... They’re kind of like the canary in the coal mine for the environment.”
