Recovering Western Pond Turtles in Washington
In 1990 only 150 western pond turtles remained in Washington State, victims of habitat loss and predation of hatchlings by voracious non-native bullfrogs. But thanks to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s thirty year recovery project there are now 800 turtles in six sites in western Washington and the Columbia River Gorge. This is the longest running reintroduction project for a Washington endangered species - a fact worth “shellabrating!”
In this protected preserve in the south Puget Sound region, biologists monitor turtles, tracking them to their nest sites and protecting their eggs. Some of the hatchlings are brought to zoos to be “head-started” in safety until they are large enough to escape the jaws of bullfrogs.
You can be a turtle-y awesome turtle pal by:
Eliminating chemical pesticides that can run off into turtle habitat.
Purchasing or adopting pet turtles that are legal to own and come from reputable sources.
NEVER releasing unwanted pets into wild habitats. Call your local animal shelter to find a new home for an unwanted pet.
Female Number 7 fitted with her tracking transmitter.
Tagged female turtles basking in their pond.
Counting and IDing basking turtles.
Tools of the trade: antenna, receiver, tracking notes.
Using telemetry to find turtles that are swimming, hiding, or on the nesting hill.
Female Number 7 was found wandering without her transmitter so she waits for her fitting.
Glueing on a new transmitter.
Freshly fitted and off to find a nest site!
Digging a nesting hole.
REALLY ready to nest: she's full of eggs!
Examining the nest site for eggs.
Freshly laid eggs, representing the next generation of this endangered specie.
Nest temperature probes record readings every hour.
A finished nest, flagged and protected with a cage during incubation to protect from marauding skunks.
A turtle at the nest site.
Female Number Nine wandered away from the pond to the edge of the preserve and required interception.
A lot of hope for the future is riding on this turtle's shelled shoulders.