Endangered
Western pond turtles range from the Puget Sound area of Washington through western Oregon and California to Baja California. It was once the only species of turtle found in the Puget Sound area, and was considered common. Today, there are only two wild populations left in the entire state of Washington, in Klickitat and Skamania counties. In 1990, it was estimated the population numbered only 150-200 turtles. Increased human habitation around water, the importation of bullfrogs from the U.S. East Coast and the release of some fish species into local waterways are major factors in the near extinction of the pond turtles.

Conservation Efforts
In 1990, Woodland Park Zoo, the Center for Wildlife Conservation and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife collaborated on a joint project to secure the future of the western pond turtle in Washington. As of July 1998, 240 head-started turtles have been released from "head start" breeding programs, more than doubling the estimated population in 1990.

For more info on the Western Pond turtle, click here.
For more info on the zoo's conservation efforts click here.