As is occurring in countries all over the world, native amphibians and reptiles are in decline, not only due to the pollution and destruction of native habitats, but also on account of the successful invasion of alien species such as the African Clawed Toad (Xenopus Laevis), Red-Eared Sliders and Crayfish. But conservation efforts of one area are reporting significant changes out in the field.
The San Diego Zoo, along with the Californian Department of Fish and Game and USGS, have been championing the 'Save the Turtles' program in their area since 2009. The aim to assist the continued survival of the Southwestern Pond Turtle in the area through captive breeding, reintroduction, and the re-housing of invasive species, in the hope that numbers could be raised in the area from their record low population of around 120 in the area in 2003.
In this program, and it is still in it's early days, eggs would be relocated and hatched in the Zoo, then young turtles would be reared to a self-sustainable age, then re-introduced to the native habitat, whilst relocation of invasive species was also carried out. In little over two years the results have already showed a great rise in local populations, and the continued survival of the younger turtles, which is a great sign for the species in the area.
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