A Central Iowa wetland is now home to 32 young Blanding’s turtles, that were released Wednesday as part of a joint project to give the threatened species a jump on life. These hatchlings were part of four clutches that were incubated and hatched at Blank Park Zoo, from gravid females found last summer at the wetland.
This project is a partnership between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Blank Park Zoo and Iowa State University to better understand Blanding’s turtle’s habitat needs, and then incorporate that information into management practices.
Ann Shimerdla, chief executive officer and president of Blank Park Zoo, said this partnership is part of the Zoo’s local and global conservation mission.
“This is an incredible success story,” Shimerdla said. “This project is near and dear to our heart, benefiting native species right here in Iowa.”
Blank Park Zoo is an accredited zoo, which allows it to partner to support research to achieve healthy, sustainable populations. Only 10 percent of zoos achieve accreditation. Blank Park Zoo is also part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFE American Turtle Program protecting wild habitats.
All but five of the hatchlings have been outfitted with a small transmitter. This summer, Iowa State University student techs will be recording their positions daily while the transmitters last, which is roughly two months. To learn more about the Blanding's turtles project, go to the DNR's YouTube channel.
“We don’t have much data on Blanding’s turtles, and practically no data on juveniles, so this opportunity will provide important information on these hatchlings’ movements,” said Dr. Karen Kinkead, with the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Diversity Program
Blanding’s turtles are a threatened species in Iowa and are being considered for federal listing. Information collected on hatchlings movements and preferred habitat may help to guide habitat management.
These medium sized turtles are only found in certain locations in Iowa, preferring a mix of clean, shallow, and slow-moving water associated with ponds, wetlands, shallow lakes and sloughs with aquatic vegetation. Due to habitat compression resulting in nesting closer together, the population is also impacted by nest raiders, like opossums, raccoons, chipmunks and other animals, and, after hatching and as small juveniles, by mammals, large wading birds and other predators.
“In the wild, just hatching means these turtles beat the odds. Leaving the nest and finding the wetland is another major achievement, and making it to year one is like winning the lottery. Which makes today all the more exciting,” said Kayla Lyon, director of the Iowa DNR.
“Restoring wetlands and shallow lakes has been a department priority for decades. Working with our partners to improve habitat on public lands as well as members of the agriculture community who are willing and interested in installing and improving habitat on private land, is critical if we are to maintain our wildlife populations and we want to thank our partners for their efforts. It takes a lot of work to get to this point and takes a lot of work to maintain it, and this effort is being repeated all across the Prairie Pothole region of Northcentral and Northwest Iowa.”
Restoring these wetlands and shallow lakes benefits Blanding’s turtles in addition to many other wildlife species, including nesting trumpeter swans and sandhill cranes, along with numerous grassland birds and waterfowl.