This year, the zoo team will assess eight sites in the region, including at least one new location. They’ll count, mark and measure any spotted turtles they find and will take blood samples.
The goal is to collect data that will help inform long-term conservation efforts as well as inform experts on what a healthy population looks like for certain sites.
“As biologists and conservationists we’re always talking about how to count turtles, what we think is a healthy population, and we don’t really have that information for spotted turtles,” Bill Flanagan, the zoo’s conservation manager.
The conservation project is a collaboration with Michigan Natural Features Inventory.
The spotted turtle is considered a threatened species by the State of Michigan. Flanagan said the turtles have a dark shell with bright yellow spots and can grow up to a few inches as an adult.
The survey, he said, has been conducted annually for the past two years. He adds the team has seen a handful of populations that are relatively robust, but in other areas it can be difficult to find the spotted turtle that tends to live in shallow wetlands.
“I think one of the things we’re starting to learn about is how fragmented they are, and how isolated they are in these habitats,” he said. “It’s really critical to make sure that we’re not only protecting the turtles, but protecting the habitats that are out there for them and by protecting the turtles and their habitats we’re protecting spaces for lots of other species.”
Flanagan said raccoons and roads are some of the biggest threats to turtles. He adds loss of habitat and humans can also be a problem for the turtles.
“[spotted turtles are] cute, so they end up being subjects of the illegal pet trade, so even though they’re cute and they’re really neat to see, we always encourage people to enjoy them in the wild and not take them in as pets because that can be an issue for them,” Flanagan said.
In an effort to educate the public more on turtles, the John Ball Zoo will host several events in celebration of World Turtle Day on May 20, including turtle meet-and-greets, native Michigan plant giveaways, live music, animal programs and a turtle-themed book reading.
The events are free with admission.
