Oregon Zoo releases 22 endangered turtles into the wild

The Oregon Zoo has made significant strides in wildlife conservation by successfully releasing 22 northwestern pond turtles into the Columbia River Gorge on or around September 18, 2026. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to recover this endangered species, which has faced numerous threats in its natural habitat. The turtles, reared at the zoo, represent a crucial step in bolstering the population of this vulnerable species in the region. Collected by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during the spring of 2025, the hatchlings were subsequently transported to the Oregon Zoo's conservation lab. There, under the care of zoo staff, the turtles were head-started, allowing them to grow rapidly in a controlled environment. With the help of heat lamps and a nutritious diet, they reached the size typical of three-year-old turtles within just one year. Jen Osburn Eliot, who oversees the zoo’s turtle conservation program, emphasized the importance of this head-starting process, noting that it significantly enhances their chances of survival once released into the wild.

The northwestern pond turtle is classified as an endangered species in Washington and a sensitive species in Oregon. Once on the brink of extinction in Washington, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining two decades ago, the population has seen some recovery thanks to conservation efforts. Since then, over 1,600 zoo-head-started turtles have been released back into their natural habitats, showcasing the success of collaborative conservation initiatives. This release is particularly critical as the native ecosystem faces pressures from invasive species such as the American bullfrog, which preys on smaller aquatic species. By increasing the size of the turtles before their release, conservationists aim to reduce predation risks, as larger turtles are less likely to be consumed by bullfrogs.

The zoo staff prepares the turtles for life in the wild by allowing them time outdoors to acclimate to natural conditions and adjusting their diets to reflect what they will encounter in their new environment. The Northwestern Pond Turtle Recovery Project is a collaborative effort that includes multiple partners, such as the Oregon Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Friends of the Columbia River Gorge, Bonneville Power Administration, and the U.S. Forest Service. This teamwork underscores the importance of community involvement and collective action in wildlife conservation, illustrating that every turtle returned to the wild contributes to the ongoing effort to sustain and grow the population of this endangered species.