The sighting of these pond turtles (ironically enough … spotted swimming in a creek system) last month ended a decades-old drought in search of them.
Muir Woods is a place steeped in ecological wonderment and literary inspiration. It’s home to some of the oldest coastal redwood groves known to science; the 557-acre park served as creative kindling for author Mark Twain and naturalist John Muir — the park’s namesake muse.
Wildlife in the nature park flourishes; Muir Woods is a nexus for coastal temperate forests and riparian ecosystems fed by the Redwood Creek watershed. Just because conditions are optimal, it doesn’t mean the fauna that calls these woods home hasn’t faced pressures from the outside world; western pond turtles are a prime example of this outcome.
Over the past century, populations of these endemic reptiles — one of only two native freshwater turtles that live in Northern California — have seen dramatic declines. A combination of deforestation, the climate crisis, and roadway dangers have caused these once-common ectotherms to become increasingly, exceptionally, alarmingly rare.
Western pond turtles are so scarce in their native ranges that one hadn’t been seen inside Muir Woods for over three decades … until last month.
“[Turtle #9’s] rise to fame began on a gorgeous July day deep in Muir Woods,” an Instagram post authored by the Golden Gate National Park System (GGNPS) reads, highlighting the news of the first turtle, “Turtle #9,” to be seen in the park in 30 years.
“Sunlight beaming down through the tree canopy and seeping into Redwood Creek, drew him out to bask on a logjam,” continues the post, before giving credit to the volunteer who sighted and snapped a pic of said history-making ectotherm. “That’s where volunteer Charlotte Johnson spotted him — the first turtle documented in Muir Woods in three decades!
According to the park system, pond turtles are, indeed, one of two remaining native freshwater turtles in California and are currently “listed as a species of special concern” by the California Fish and Wildlife Department (CFWD). And these creatures can live an incredibly long time, barring damaging human interference — “these omnivores will eat almost anything, as long as it’s in the water, and can live up to 50 years.”
Since #9’s debut, other turtles have been documented by the GGNPS. A map published by the NPS showed that Turtle #1, which was captured and relocated away from reconstructions related to nearby habitat enhancement projects spearheaded by the park, traveled along a 5-mile route along Redwood Creek from Muir Beach to Muir Woods. Both turtles were released by the San Francisco Zoo at Muir Beach in 2017, but, up until this summer, neither of them nor any other turtle had been seen in Muir Woods since the 1990s; Turtle #1 and Turtle #9, who recaptured and relocated earlier in July, have are now both fixed with temporary tracking modules, allowing biologist to track their movements and better understand
The spotting of these turtles has simultaneously buoyed spirits on their ability to thrive in the park and sparked a need to ensure their continued survival.
To learn more about these adorable and sporty and rare chelonians, as well as how the GGNPS went about tagging and releasing Turtle #1 and Turtle #9, click here.
Feature Image: Courtesy of NPS / Carolyn Shoulders
