40 Endangered Turtles To Be Released In Lakewood This Week

LAKEWOOD, WA — Forty western pond turtles will be released at an undisclosed location in Lakewood this week as part of a project to bring back the endangered reptiles.

The turtles were raised from eggs at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, giving them a head-start at survival. Raising the turtles in captivity gives them a better chance at surviving the threat of invasive bullfrogs, according to the zoo.

The western pond turtle population in Washington fell to 150 in 1990. But the population has increased to about 800 statewide thanks to the Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project.

But progress has been stalled by a shell disease that has emerged over the last few years. The Woodland Park Zoo, state Fish and Wildlife, and the Oregon Zoo are studying and treating turtles affected by the disease to help them survive.

The location of the turtle release in Lakewood on Friday is being kept confidential to protect their habitat.