Defenders of Wildlife Blog

“Coast to Coast” is a summer blog series highlighting some of America’s most imperiled wildlife. Using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s new state-by-state endangered species map, Defenders is drawing attention to native plants and animals most in need of help.

In honor of the Fourth of July holiday last week, the first species comes from the first states. Found in all but two of the 13 original colonies, the bog turtle once ranged far and wide in America.

Young Bog Turtle- Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Despite its large territory, however, this tiny turtle is facing some titanic threats. Reaching lengths of only 4.5 inches, the bog turtle is not only the smallest turtle in North America but has also become one of the rarest.

Bog turtles rely on fragile marshes and wetlands for everything from food – like seeds, berries and invertebrates — to finding mates. They’re perfectly adapted to life in the swamp, where they elude predators by burrowing into the muddy soil and disappearing from sight.

But when these wet places disappear, so do the turtles. In recent decades, their population has declined dramatically. A large percentage of the bog turtle’s former habitat has been drained and converted to farmland, making it virtually impossible for this wetland wonder to survive. Invasive plants, such as the Purple Loosestrife from Asia and Africa, are crowding in. Their roots grow too thickly for any nutrients to pass through. And poachers often nab this diminutive dude as a favorite of the pet trade.

These threats have resulted in a perfect storm for the bog turtle, which was finally listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1997. Progress toward recovery has been slow to date, but a promising program was put in place in 2008 as part of the Farm Bill. The bog turtle was selected as one of seven unique species under the Working Lands for Wildlife program in need of additional help from private land owners.

The voluntary program offers incentives to farmers and other private landowners to help conserve the species. By altering or restricting livestock grazing and controlling weeds, farmers and ranchers can improve and restore habitat for bog turtles. As an added bonus, efforts to protect wetland areas for bog turtles will also benefit wild turkeys, bass and trout.

To find out more about this terrific turtle listen to this podcast featured on the Fish and Wildlife Service’s website.

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Should potentially harmful foreign frogs and turtles be allowed into the country? That’s the question the California Fish & Game Commission can’t seem to answer with any finality.

Defenders worked hard last year with our conservation colleagues to put a ban in place on imported frogs and turtles, arguing that these invasive species threaten public health and biodiversity. But less than a year later, the Commission has made an about face and will again allow these non-native animals to be imported.

The American bullfrog is considered invasive on the West Coast and has a negative impact on native species.

In early February, the California Fish & Game Commission voted to repeal a ban on imports of non-native frogs and turtles that would have helped control the spread of disease and protect native wildlife populations. After listening to testimony (watch a video of the hearing here, jump to 3:45:00 of the February 3^rd meeting), the Commission decided to rescind its own decision directing the state Department of Fish & Game to stop issuing permits for the importation of these animals.

The debate has now become mired unnecessarily in the politics of a growing exotic pet trade industry and cultural traditions practiced by a small minority who eat frogs and turtles. Some importers claim that the ban is an assault on their cultural heritage, while others see it as a threat to their business.

The Department of Fish & Game tried taking another tack, however, saying that importation posed no real threat to the state’s natural resources.  However, research has shown that more than five million amphibians are imported each year and that many of these species are a clear threat to native endangered populations. Many of the imported animals are captured in the wild and sold as exotic pets, putting tremendous pressure on dwindling frog and turtle populations around the world. Others come from unregulated captive breeding facilities that can spread virulent forms of disease such as the deadly chytrid fungus and Rana virus.

California imports a very large percentage of the amphibians and turtles that come into the United States, so it’s critical that the state take a lead role in addressing ongoing threats from the import of non-native species. One third of amphibians, in particular, are at  risk of extinction as worldwide populations are in severe decline. Bringing large numbers of these animals into the country every year without tight controls only jeopardizes the future of our own native species.

The state should be focused on protecting its natural resources for all its citizens, not just preserving the rights of a few Californians to enjoy a culinary delicacy or defending the profits of the exotic pet industry.

Thanks to Laura Goldman at Change.org for bringing the latest decision to our attention.