This species is known for its distinctive, elongated neck, which is a key feature that distinguishes it from other snake-necked turtles. The Rote Island snake-necked turtle is a critically endangered species, facing numerous threats to its survival. These threats include habitat loss, overexploitation, and climate change.

The center is a genetic Noah’s Ark for endangered turtles. The complex is home to 750-plus turtles and tortoises (all tortoises are turtles, not all turtles are tortoises), and about two-dozen of its resident species are considered among the most endangered turtle species on the planet. Five of the center’s resident species are functionally extinct in their native habitats. That includes the Rote Island snake-necked turtle, hereafter referred to as “Rotes” for brevity’s sake. The center’s goal is straightforward in theory but immensely complex in execution: reintroduction. “It’s a very structured plan,” said Clinton Doak, director of the center’s operations. That plan is coordinated across many of the center’s partner conservation groups.

It’s difficult to quantify the impact of a good leader on a team’s performance. This is because the impact of a leader is often indirect and multifaceted. It’s not just about the direct tasks they assign or the decisions they make.