Threats

Western Pond Turtles have resided in the Puget Sound Area for millions of years but were almost completely eliminated at the end of the 20^th century. In 1990, a population survey conducted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) discovered that there were only about 150 individual Western Pond Turtles in the entire state. A once common species had quickly become listed as endangered. There were only 2 small populations found in the Puget Sound lowlands (Kessler 2006). There has been much exploration of the reason of the Western Pond Turtle’s decline. Habitat loss, commercial exploitation, predation, nesting issues, and disease have all been blamed.

Habitat Loss

Pristine wetland environments of Pacific Northwest have become increasingly rare. Over the second half of the 20^th century, wetlands were filled for residential and industrial development. Development of the Puget Sound region also included dam construction and water diversion projects that dried up many of the turtle habitats and also isolated populations. (Department of Fish and Wildlife 2012)

This is a picture of a receding pond in the Puget Sound area taken by the North Seattle Community College.

Human Disturbance

The Western Pond Turtle are an extremely shy species. Human disturbance have kept females turtles from crossing land in search for the optimal nesting grounds. This also prevents them from basking which may lead to egg malnutrition. (Hays 1999)

This is a picture of litter left in a pond by rude people. Turtles need a pristine environment to flourish.

Predation

With the diversions of water and human intervention, invasive predator species began to get introduced into these turtle’s wetlands. These species consisted of American bullfrogs and warm-water Large Mouth Bass which preyed on hatchlings and young turtles. Turtles must grow up to 3 inches to avoid predation. (Conservation Showcase 2009)

This is ominous eyes of a lurking killer.

Nesting

Nesting environments have been lost in relation to the increase of the excessive shade. This shade is due to fire suppression on native grasslands (Hays 1999). These changed terrestrial habitast makes it less suitable for hatchlings and juveniles.

This is a picture of a turtle's nest, it has full sunlight.

Disease

An upper respiratory disease moved into a population of the pond turtles in Klickitat County in the 1990s (Hays 1999). This killed at least 1/3^rd of the turtles that would have otherwise been healthy and lived. This disease is thought to have been introduced by non-native turtles moving into the Western Pond Turtle’s eco-system. 

This is a picture of scientists from the Woodland Park Zoo withdrawing blood to examine the health of a turtle.

• Conservation Showcase. "Racing to save a Species: NRCS Habitat Expertise Provides Critical Link for Turtle Recovery." Natural Resources Conservation Service. Conservation Showcase, Feb. 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.wa.nrcs.usda.gov/news/Showcases/Showcase30.html>.
• Department of Fish and Wildlife. "Living with Wildlife- Clemmys Marmorata."Http://www.dfw.state.or.us. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. <http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/docs/turtles.pdf>.
• Hays, David W., Kelly R. McAllister, Scott A. Richardson, and Derek W. Stinson. "Washington State Recovery Plan for the Western Pond Turtle - WDFW Publications | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife." Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Washington DEpartment of Fish and Wildlife, Aug. 1999. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00398/>
• Kessler, Richard. "South Puget Sound Wildlife Area Management Plan - WDFW Publications | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife." Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. WDFW Publications, Nov. 2006. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. <http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00540/>.