Hello. My name is Chris Tabaka, DVM

I am the staff veterinarian at the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan. I am also a veterinary advisor and a trustee of the World Chelonian Trust  as well as a veterinary advisor for the AZA's Chelonian Taxon Advisory Group.  I'm also heavily involved in innumerous aspects of the Turtle Survival Alliance as a veterinary advisor, point person, and steering committee member.  I also run a small private clinical facility (the Chelonian Critical Care Clinic).

The primary purpose of the following series of pages is turtles and tortoises (NOTE: the following pages have some dated information.  For the most up to date information on chelonians (turtles and tortoises), please see the World Chelonian Trust website for a wide array of medical articles, the internet's most complete photo gallery, and the largest collection of original care sheets (11-30-03)).   The pages include not only basic husbandry methods and my personal experiences with various species but also a series of pictures with brief descriptions of the depicted species. The pages will also include links to numerous sites involving husbandry guidelines, personal experiences of others, pictures, and nutrition. 

Also included in this site are a number of digital pictures showing the day to day workings of a zoological hospital facility. Also included are a variety of pictures as well as explanations covering the Memphis Zoo's old Raptor Rehabilitation program and it's operant conditioning program- these sections were written by dedicated members of the Memphis Zoo staff.

Turtles and Tortoises

Memphis Zoo Animal Medical Center

Memphis Zoo Raptor Rehabilitation Program

Memphis Zoo's Operant Conditioning Program