Cedar Creek Turtle Program: Rehabilitated Endangered Turtles Get Released

August 10, 2022

By
Danielle Jimenez (electronic mail)

Division of Corrections

Round a dozen endangered Western Pond Turtles are joyful to be again dwelling within the wild after months of care by incarcerated turtle technicians at Cedar Creek Corrections Heart (CCCC). The Western Pond turtles got here into their care after an unknown shell illness was found on them, and surgical procedure was obligatory to assist them get well.

“The shell illness was found within the early 2000s and we’re nonetheless studying loads in regards to the illness and the remedy, so these turtles are part of an experimental remedy to assist them get well,” stated Emily Butler, a wildlife biologist for the Washington Division of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “We have to seize them within the Fall and produce them to veterinarians who can do their debridements and do surgical procedure on these turtles. However as soon as they get carried out, they’re nonetheless not able to be launched, so we convey them to Cedar Creek the place they will even have extra time to get well.”

Numerous packages, such because the Turtle Program at CCCC, are run by the Sustainability in Prisons Challenge as a collaboration between the Division of Corrections and the Evergreen State Faculty.

“We provide science and sustainability, training and connections with nature inside prisons,” stated Kelli Bush, co-director of the Sustainability in Prisons Challenge for the Evergreen State Faculty. “A graduate pupil from the Evergreen State Faculty has been supporting training and coaching for the incarcerated individuals on the jail they usually’ve been caring for these turtles for the previous few months.”

The latest group of turtles that underwent surgical procedure in 2021, have been deemed wholesome sufficient to be launched to the Pierce County Launch Website by members of the Division of Fish and Wildlife, and can proceed to be monitored.