Red Dragonfly resting on basking Western Pond Turtle
July 29, 2011
This juvenile Western Pond turtle is part of the species recovery program which is a collaborative effort between Woodland Park Zoo and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The program is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year; it is one of the most successful programs of its type. The number of Western Pond Turtles in the wild has grown tenfold since the program began.
This photograph was taken on the day when one-year-old juvenile Pond Turtles are released back into the wild after spending their first year growing large at Woodland Park zoo in Seattle. The extra time to mature gives the juvenile turtles head start against the predators they will face in the wild.
This photograph was taken on the day when one-year-old juvenile Pond Turtles are released back into the wild after spending their first year growing large at Woodland Park zoo in Seattle. The extra time to mature gives the juvenile turtles head start against the predators they will face in the wild.