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Partners for Wildlife
WESTERN POND TURTLE RECOVERY PROJECT
Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project is working to save:
Western Pond Turtle (Emys marmorata)
Declared endangered in Washington State in 1993.
Threats: Disturbance and loss of wetland habitat, introduced predators (especially the bullfrog), and disease.
Recovery plan: Give turtles a headstart by raising hatchlings in captivity until they are too large to be eaten by bullfrogs and then release them into protected areas in Washington state. Turtles eggs are collected in the fall and youngsters are released the following summer. The population has increased from 150 in 1990 to over 1500 today.
Partners: Woodland Park Zoo, Oregon Zoo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Western pond turtle
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NORTHWEST NATIVE SPECIES RECOVERY PROJECTS
Woodland Park Zoo’s expertise in captive rearing, captive breeding and research plays an essential role within the Pacific Northwest conservation community. WPZ collaborates with other zoos and aquariums on these and other projects as a member of the Northwest Zoo and Aquarium Alliance.
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