National park officials make rare sighting of exceedingly elusive species: 'A species of special concern'

Northwestern pond turtles, one of only two native freshwater turtle species remaining in California, have seen their populations decline significantly over the years. This decline has led to their designation as a "species of special concern," as noted in a social media post by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (@goldengatenps).

In response to this situation, the San Francisco Zoo, along with several wildlife organizations, is actively working to rescue and bolster their populations. As reported by SFGate, Turtle No. 9 is a notable example of these efforts. He was part of a clutch of pond turtle eggs rescued by WildCare, a local wildlife hospital, after his mother was killed in a car accident. Once the eggs hatched and the turtles reached a sufficient size, volunteers released them back into the wild, where Turtle No. 9 embarked on a remarkable journey.

The Instagram post celebrated Turtle No. 9's achievements: "If turtles could talk, Turtle #9 would have incredible tales about the restoration of Redwood Creek in Muir Woods. … He is the first turtle documented in Muir Woods in three decades!"

While releasing juvenile turtles into the wild has shown promise, it is only one component of a broader conservation strategy. A significant challenge remains the vulnerability of their nests, which are often targeted by mammalian predators like skunks and foxes.