July 12, 2007

Photo Opportunity:

Endangered turtles to be prepared for release into the wild – Multi-agency effort to restore part of Northwest ecosystem

Contact:
Gigi Allianic, Wendy Hochnadel
206.684.4838; c:206.349.3533
gigi.allianic@zoo.org

What:       
Woodland Park Zoo and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff will prepare 50 western pond turtles for release to designated wildlife sites in Pierce and Mason Counties. Staff will weigh, size, and sort the endangered turtles that were collected from the wild as hatchlings and “head-started” at the zoo to improve their chance of survival in the wild. The 10-month-old turtles, which are currently about 2 ounces, will be reintroduced to the wild Tuesday, July 17.

Photo: Ryan Hawk

The reintroduction of the western pond turtles into the wild is part of a long-term, collaborative effort among Woodland Park Zoo, Oregon Zoo, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prevent the species’ extinction.

When:    
Weigh-in session: Monday, July 16, 11:30 a.m.-noon
Release to the wild: Tuesday, July 17, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Where:
Behind the scenes at Woodland Park Zoo. Meet at the ARC near the West Entrance at N. 55th St. & Phinney Ave. N. The ARC is a locked building; PR staff will escort you. If late, call the media cell at 206.349.3533 or enter through the West Entrance.

Info:
Once common in the Puget Sound region and the Columbia Gorge, western pond turtles were on the verge of extinction in Washington in 1990, with only about 150 turtles left in the wild. The state listed the species as endangered in 1993. As part of the Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project, wildlife biologists and staff “head-start” the newly hatched turtles gathered from wild sites, nurturing them at both zoos for about 10 months when they are large enough – a little more than 2 ounces – to escape the large mouths of non-native bullfrogs and large-mouth bass. Today, researchers estimate that there are about 1,200 turtles in Washington.

The Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project is a part of Woodland Park Zoo’s Partners for Wildlife conservation initiative, an expansion of the zoo’s efforts and resources in proven wildlife conservation projects. The zoo currently partners with 38 field conservation projects in more than 26 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.zoo.org.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.