Wildlife conservation biologists are trying to keep the native ‘priority’ species from becoming threatened or endangered, in an Oregon that is worth protecting.<\/p>\n
YAMHILL COUNTY, Oregon \u2014 Conservationists in Oregon are racing to protect one of the state\u2019s only native freshwater turtle species from becoming endangered.<\/p>\n
The Northwestern Pond Turtle, a semiaquatic reptile once common in the region, is now listed as a \u201cspecies of greatest conservation need\u201d in Oregon\u2019s Wildlife Action Plan<\/a>. Biologists say habitat loss, invasive predators and illegal collection are threatening its survival.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is one of the species that is a priority to Oregon,\u201d said Susan Barnes, a regional wildlife conservation biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/a>. \u201cIf we lose this species, that would be really sad.\u201d<\/p>\n Barnes is monitoring a conservation site in Yamhill County\u2019s Muddy Valley, where more than 500 individual turtles have been identified and tagged. On a recent visit, traps set overnight yielded a significant catch \u2014 a positive sign for the local population.<\/p>\n \u201cOh my gosh, it\u2019s the mother lode!\u201d Barnes exclaimed as she checked the trap.<\/p>\n But despite the healthy count at the site, the turtles remain at risk from invasive species \u2014 particularly American bullfrogs, which prey on juvenile turtles.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know bullfrogs will eat anything they can get their mouths on,\u201d said Barnes, who is working with conservation partners to solve the bullfrog problem.<\/p>\n