Saving Endangered Turtles in the Pacific Northwest

The Oregon Zoo drew praise from colleagues at zoos and aquariums across the continent this Fall, earning another prestigious award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums — its seventh such honor over the past five years.

This year, the Oregon Zoo and its conservation partners at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo took top honors in the North American Conservation Awards category for the collaborative western pond turtle recovery project. The award recognizes "exceptional efforts toward regional habitat preservation, species restoration and support of biodiversity."

In 1990, only two pond turtle sites were left in Washington. Today, six populations have been established with two in Puget Sound and four in the Columbia River Gorge. More than 1,800 turtles have been head-started and released to these sites. Studies have revealed that an estimated 95 percent of turtles released in the Columbia River Gorge survived their first year.

"We are deeply honored," said Dr. Don Moore, Oregon Zoo director. "These awards are the highest distinction in the zoo community. They represent the respect shown for the Oregon Zoo by our peers from around the world."

Since 2012, the Oregon Zoo has been recognized with seven of the association's major annual awards: four for conservation work on behalf of imperiled Northwest species, one for environmental efforts in the zoo's day-to-day operations, and two for marketing excellence.

"Earning that many awards over the span of five years is quite an accomplishment," said AZA interim president and CEO Kris Vehrs. "Oregonians can be very proud of their zoo — it's one of the top zoos in North America."

The Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project is a collaborative effort by the Oregon Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bonneville Power Administration, USDA Forest Service and other partners. To learn more, visit www.oregonzoo.org/turtles.