Western pond turtle recovery in Oregon

They survived the dinosaurs, but turtles worldwide are facing a modern extinction crisis, with half of all species at risk of disappearing.

Once common from Baja California to Puget Sound, the small, long-lived western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) is listed as endangered in Washington and threatened in Oregon. The Oregon Zoo works with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to help restore this shy reptile to its historic range through a unique head-starting program. As a result, Western pond turtle numbers are on the rise.

Adult turtles can live up to 70 years, nest on land and feed, breed and bask in water. They prefer streams, ponds, lakes and permanent wetlands, although their populations are much reduced and concentrated in a few locations.

Threats

Habitat loss draining and filling of wetlands, dams and water diversion deprive these aquatic reptiles of critical habitat	Invasive predators bullfrogs and largemouth bass prey on the vulnerable hatchlings
Shell disease an emergent disease affecting the shell, which can lead to paralysis and death in advances stages	Invasive plants when non-native plant species dominate, turtles can't excavate a nest, and the sun can't reach their nests

Successes and ongoing recovery work

In 1990, only two pond turtle sites were left in Washington. Today, six populations have been established with two in Puget Sound and four in the Columbia River Gorge. During the same period, more than 1,800 turtles have been head-started and released to these sites. Studies have revealed that an estimated 95 percent of turtles released in the Columbia River Gorge survived their first year.

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