
Releasing endangered turtles in Fraser Valley
Posted onOctober 19, 2022byWildlife Preservation Canada|Fraser Valley Wetlands, Fraser Valley Wetlands Wildlife, Freshwater Turtles, Western Painted Turtle
In 2022, WPC released 181 juvenile western painted turtles from the overwintering tanks located at the facility where WPC works at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. Releasing these turtles to the wild when they are at an age and size to have the best chance of survival will be make a significant impact to the return of the species in BC.
Western painted turtle eggs were rescued, hatched, and reared in a specially designed facility before being returned to suitable habitat in the wild. Beginning with fewer than 20 individuals during the 1st year of the project in 2011, this program has expanded to allow us to release around 200 young each year to bring back painted turtle populations in the Fraser River Valley, BC.