They have lived here for over 2 million years. Earlier in this century, 
they could be found in wetlands all over western Washington, in ponds, 
marshes, slow-moving streams, reservoirs, and irrigation canals. 
Over time, development, water pollution, disease, 
along with introduced bullfrogs and bass, 
which can easily swallow the young, 
have all taken a toll on the western pond turtle. Today, they number less 
than 100 in Washington 
and may soon face extinction in our state. Now the Center for Wildlife Conservation 
Woodland Park Zoo 
and the Washington State Department of Wildlife are attempting to breed western 
pond turtles as a last chance effort for survival. 
But it can take over 10 years before they mature enough to lay eggs. 
In the meantime, 
here's what you can do to help save the western pond turtle. 
Never release pets like store-bought turtles into a wild environment. 
They carry disease and they prey upon 
or out-compete the western pond turtle. don't allow waste such as oil, 
paint, pesticides, or other chemicals to contaminate the soil, 
get into storm drains, or spoil wetlands. 
Now that you know what a western pond turtle looks like, 
if you see one, leave it where it is 
and call the Washington State Department of Wildlife. 
Learn more about what you can do to help care for wildlife and habitat. 
Because 
if species like the western pond turtle can no longer survive in Washington, 
how much longer can we?