The Future

If recovery efforts are met and the turtles are downgraded to threatened, recovery efforts will be decreased, and there would be a risk of relapse. There must be a solution for every issue that had driven the Western Pond Turtle to near extinction.

Habitat Loss

Private landowners can improve their wetland habitats by improving the water conditions. They can work to avoid water diversions and not building through these areas.


This is an example of a good habitat that landowners can model towards.

Human Disturbance

The average person can avoid abandoning pet turtles in lakes. These foreign turtles are mostly more aggressive than the docile native turtle and may out compete them for survival.


This is a picture of a non-native red eared slider (left) challenging the Western Pond Turtle (right).

Predation

Areas where there is a population of Western Pond Turtle are areas where invasive predator species can be eliminated or controlled. Fishing of the exotic largemouth bass should be encouraged. Invasive bullfrogs can be removed by removing their floating eggs.


This is a picture of a large mouth bass being fished. Fishing them would increase turtle survival.

Nesting

Areas within 500 feet of the turtle population’s wetland should have paths carved out to help turtle’s excursions to nesting grounds and also for baby turtles to find their way to the pond. This would improve chances of nesting because this would ease navigation for small species.


This is a turtle leaving its nest after hatching.

Disease

Scientist should be wary about allowing immigration between populations even though it would increase genetic health. The upper repertory disease that plagued the Klickitat County population in the early 90s is still unknown and there is the risk of spreading another disease.



This is just an image of a HEALTHY western pond turtle.