Conservation Bog turtle



a captive-reared bog turtle released wild, affixed radio transmitter


protected under united states federal endangered species act, bog turtle considered threatened in connecticut, delaware, maryland, massachusetts, new jersey, new york , pennsylvania of november 4, 1997. due similarity of appearance northern population, bog turtle threatened in georgia, north carolina, south carolina, tennessee , virginia (considered southern population). in addition federal listing of threatened, states in southern range list bog turtle either endangered or threatened. changes bog turtle s habitat have resulted in disappearance of 80 percent of colonies existed 30 years ago. because of turtle s rarity, in danger of illegal collection, worldwide pet trade. despite regulations prohibiting collection, barter, or export, bog turtles commonly taken poachers. road traffic has led declines. u.s. fish , wildlife service has plan recovery of northern population. bog turtle listed critically endangered in 2011 iucn red list.


the invasion of non-native plants habitat large threat bog turtles survival. although several plants disrupt ecosystem, 3 primary culprits purple loosestrife, reed canary grass, , reeds, grow thick , tall , believed hinder movement of turtles. such plants out-compete native species in bog turtle s habitat, reducing amount of food , protection available turtles.


the development of new neighborhoods , roadways obstructs bog turtle s movement between wetlands, inhibiting establishment of new bog turtle colonies. pesticides, runoff, , industrial discharge harmful bog turtles habitat , food supply. bog turtle has been designated threatened species conserve northern population of bog turtle, has declined in northeast united states.


today, rebounding of bog turtle colonies depends on private intervention. population monitoring involves meticulous land surveys on vast countrysides. in addition surveying land visually, remote sensing has been used biologically classify wetland either suitable or unsuitable bog turtle colony. allows comparisons made between known areas of bog turtle success , potential areas of future habitation.



a controlled burn in progress


to existing colonies rebound, several private projects have been initiated in attempt limit encroachment of overshadowing trees , bushes, construction of new highways , neighborhoods, , other natural , man-made threats.


methods used recreate bog turtle s habitat include: controlled burns limit growth of overshadowing trees , underbrush (thus bringing habitat successional); grazing livestock such cows , goats in desired habitat area (creating pockets of water , freshly churned mud); , promoting beaver activity, including dam construction in , around wetlands.


captive breeding method of stabilizing bog turtles numbers. technique involves mating bog turtles indoors in controlled environments, nutrition , mates provided. fred wustholz , richard j. holub first independently, during 1960s , 1970s. interested in educating others bog turtle , in increasing population, , on several years released many healthy bog turtles wild. various organizations, such association of zoos , aquariums, have been permitted breed bog turtles in captivity.


the study of bog turtles in wild significant aid development of conservation strategy. radio telemetry has been used track turtles movements in natural habitat. blood samples, fecal samples, , cloacal swabs commonly collected wild populations , tested signs of disease.








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