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The Chances of the World Changing

PBS 7/17

Writer Richard Ogust dedicates much of his time and resources to rescue hundreds of endangered turtles.

from http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2007/chanceso ... eview.html

A decade ago, after an epiphany at a New York restaurant, Richard Ogust began dedicating his time and resources to rescuing endangered turtles — confiscating hundreds bound for Southeast Asian food markets. When the filmmakers catch up with the 50-year-old writer, he is sharing his Manhattan loft with 1,200 turtles, including five species extinct in the wild. But his growing "ark" and preservation efforts are threatening to exhaust him, both mentally and financially. With luminous images and a haunting musical score, the award-winning "The Chances of the World Changing" documents two years in the life of a man who finds himself struggling to save hundreds of lives, including his own.

Trailer on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT87et_n_J4

Wow...

... I bet he sleeps on the couch too.

I actually remember an article about him years ago. I hope there is a followup to the program, I'd really like to know how things turn up.

I have to check to see if I even get PBS

That is awesome. I'll be on vacation when it airs, but I would like to buy it if it comes out on DVD.

I wonder if there is a place where we can donate money to his cause?

Wow that's incredible, I couldn't imagine... I'll definitely be watching it when it airs.

YES I HAVE THAT CHANNEL!

Wow...I wonder how he's doing now?

I saw him on CNN several years ago in his apartment with his turtles. Something like 18,000 gallons of water was being pumped into the tanks in his apt daily, and he had several volunteers to help him with care and feeding. He was supposed to have moved his collection to the Tewksbury Institute, but the last thing I heard was that something happened and it fell through. I wonder if he wound up keeping all those turtles...

Here's an interesting article (from 2003):
http://www.tribecatrib.com/newsoct03/turtle_guy.htm

This came out in 2005, the DVD should be out later this year.

whoa 1000$ a month in electricity bill? Plus 4000$ in food...he's still going to rehab turtles, though, just not keep them.

So excited to wacth it. I cant even imagine haveing that many turtles to take care of. 120 species!!! wow! I wonder if there is some way to contact him or help support his cause.

I think he might have been a segment on 60 Minutes a while back as well. I remember him showing a turtle and the turtle (an adult) bit his finger and hung on. He was so calm about the whole thing, and just said something like "This really hurts." I still wonder if he's got all those turtles...

I wonder if he still has all those fingers!

Don't forget, it's tonight! It's 90 minutes long and will be rebroadcast next week in some locations (different time). The DVD should also be out later this year.