Species Recovery Projects
Western Pond Turtles
Western Pond Turtles (Clemmys / Emys / Actinemys marmorata) had nearly disappeared from Washington and have severely reduced populations in Oregon, due to habitat loss and predation by non-native species, primarily Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana). The turtles have a slow growth rate, with females taking 10 years or more to reach reproductive age. Few hatchlings make it to adulthood in the wild. Working collaboratively with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Woodland Park Zoo and Oregon Zoo have a “head-start” program for newly hatched turtles gathered from wild sites.
The baby turtles are nurtured for 10 months, and then are released when they are large enough to avoid being eaten by non-native Bullfrogs and Largemouth Bass. The program, which began in 1990, has increased the estimated population in Washington from fewer than 200 turtles to more than 1,400.
